Communication
Beginning Choice Making Device
A customized very light-touch switch was hooked up to the fireman ladder toy to make a beginning communication choice-making device. The picture cards were placed along the side of the ladder: the fireman would go up and down the ladder and the child could stop the fireman at the picture card of her choice. Digital photos of her favorite items (videotapes, books, and family members) were taken and used for choice cards.
Book Reading: Staying on Task
For children that have difficulty attending to a task, book reading can become very frustrating and difficult. To make a book of the child’s favorite things or pictures use a camera, notebook, page protectors and white paper. Start with the child’s favorite things, i.e. stuffed animal, toy, blanket, Mom, Dad, Grandma, etc. Take a picture of the item or person. Paste the picture onto the page with the name of the item printed in bold, large print under the picture. Put a page protector over the page and put it in the binder. Make a book of 5 to 10 items.
Bubbles and BIG Mack Switch
It can be challenging to find fun ways for siblings to interact when one child can not talk. The message “Blow bubbles” was recorded on a BIG Mack switch and the switch was positioned on the child’s lawn chair. Whenever the child touched the switch, he was able to tell his brother to blow more bubbles which provided great opportunities for both children to pop them!
Communication at a Picnic
Family picnics were filled with tantrums until a choice board was added to help the child communicate. The choice board was attached to a wrist bracelet to make it portable. Pictures of foods and activities at the picnic were taught to the child at home. During the picnic, the child was able to indicate his food choices and communicate about the activities.
Communication Bib or Bolo
The communication bib and bolo are simple items that a parent or service provider can wear to display symbols to use with a child to provide increased opportunities for communication.
Materials:
Materials:
