manipulating objects

Taction Pads are clear, adhesive backed, touch sensitive plastic strips or patches. When adhered to any surface or item they act like switches. When you touch or pick up the item, it can activate virtually any another battery operated device.

Directions:
Choose the size Taction Pad that will work best with the item you want the child to pick up or touch. There are 3 different sizes: 2”x4”, 3”x5”, & 0.1”x24”. The long thin size is ideal to wrap around an object. The other sizes may be placed on, under, or around an item.

If students can grasp a magnetic wand they can participate in a variety of play activities. Simply attach pieces of magnetic tape onto toys such as cars, trucks, boats etc. Students can then drive the vehicles with a magnetic wand or magnet attached to a splint or handcuff.

Materials:

• Discarded 35mm film canister
• Small photo of student mounted on firm backing (plastic/cardboard, etc)
• Hook Velcro
• Velcro sensitive material
• Hot glue

Instructions:
Cover canister sides with Velcro sensitive material, hot glue in place. Place hook Velcro on back of child’s mounted picture. Attach Velcro to the covered canister.

Using a touch screen is very motivating, even for kids that are not successful holding or manipulating toys. This boy, age 2, (who has severe athethoid CP) is using a trough made from ethefoam to stabilize his arm. He is using a dynamic strap (green) to dampen associated movements that caused him to lose his head control. He is having a great time blowing up asteroids (Switch Wars, SimTech).

Cut PVC pipe in one-inch pieces. They make excellent beads as the opening is large for beginners. Find the thickest jump rope and cut to a size the child can handle. Use Elmer's glue on the cut end to stop fraying. When child holds a thick rope and uses large beads, they learn to use the interplay of both hands. It works better for beginners than a shoe string and beads.

Purchase swimming pool noodles. Use a serrated knife to cut the noodles in one or two inch pieces (as if cutting bread). Have the child hold a dollar store wooden spoon and put the rings on the handle of the spoon. This combines use of both hands and makes a cheap toy. Color matching can be integrated by using rings made from different color swim noodles. The noodles have a hole in the center so they make a cheap bead type play activity.

I play with many children that have sensory concerns. To ease the introduction I have made textured blocks. I cut pieces of lumber (4 inches width, 2 inches height, 5-6 inches length) and cover them with out door carpet. The out door carpet comes in red, blue, brown and grey. I use heavy duty staples to secure the carpet to the blocks. The little ones rub the blocks against the floor, scratch them together, rub their hands on them, roll cars over, match colors, and stack them. I have also made textured one inch blocks.

To help students play independently, attach toys to a plastic or rubber placemat with thin strands of elastic. If a toy happens to fall off the mat, students with limited fine motor skills can scoop the elastic bands and bring the toy back to the playing surface. Attach cookie cutters, mini-rolling pins and plastic pizza cutter to create a play mat compatible with clay and playdoh tasks.

Make enlarged color copies of playing cards and laminate or mount them on poster board to be cut out. Make a card holder out of a clean Styrofoam meat or produce tray. Turn it upside down and make slits for the cards and just slip them in. The top of a two-piece cardboard box can also be used.

Velcro each space and piece to increase stability. Use puff paint or glue to raise lines between spaces.
Laminate or use clear contact paper to coat flimsy game or boards.