REVIEW: Switch Skills

Switch Skills
While reviewing the technology sources I went first to Switch Skills. These are perhaps the most important skills I teach. Switches allow for choice making, communication, and control in a world that to the outside seems helpless.
I have been fascinated with switched for over 25 years. I spent many afternoons wiring switched with my mother the OT. I learned at a young age how to solder wire and adjust tension. I learned that a cookie sheet and a bolt could complete the circuit to turn on a tape player.
Needless to say, I enjoy watching my student push the green button.
http://letsplay.buffalo.edu by Susan Mistrett, Project Director, offers a basic understanding of how switched can engage kids in the fundamental activity of play. It provides great arguments for using switches. It has research based information on how to choose toys and a list of vendors who sell specially designed toys for kids with special needs. It is a great resource if you need a reason to help kids play.
I wish it had a DIY section. With the economy the way that it is, the idea of buying specialized toys is a hard pill to swallow for both parents and educators. As many parents will tell you, even the greatest of toy may not gain a reaction from the child. I feel it is more timely to show how to modify toys you get at any super store. That is what excited me about this sight. Under Assistive Technology there is a section about starting up switch use. "Adapting a Battery-Operated Toy" introduced me to a copper disk switch that simply creates a circuit control on any battery operated toy.
Because I have limited patience, out came the pliers and soldering iron. But, rather than my do it yourself version, you could order one of these switches and then use any battery operated toy.