MAKING TOY

ADAPTATIONSBrian Simms, M.A. CCC-

SLPAssistive Technology SpecialistAssistive Technology Partners

A Plan for Our Time

• Review purpose of play• Identify steps to adapting toys• Identify how children use toys and

techniques for play facilitation• Examine materials for making

adaptations• ACTIVITY- Brainstorm your toys• Other?

Why Do Children Play?• Cognitive Understanding• Problem solving• Practice new skills persistence in

problems solving • Perseverance- pleasure from completing

a task• Social-emotional development• Practice social skills• Language Use• Motor Development• BECAUSE IT SURE BEATS WORKIN’ !!

Transdisciplinary Play Based Assessment (Linder, 1993)

Children with Disabilities and Play

• Children with developmental delays progress through the same sequence of development, but– Reduced repertoire of play skills – Reduced language during play – Less sophisticated representational play – Limited selection of play materials (Not

the case after today )

Transdisciplinary Play Based Assessment (Linder, 1993)

STEPS TO ADAPTING TOYS

1. Assess the Child’s Abilities (Child)

2. Target Play Behavior (Play Skill)

3. Select Toy (Toy)4. Make Adaptations &

Modifications (Materials)5. PLAY!!!!

STEP 1: Child’s AbilitiesCognitiveSensory

•Hearing•Vision•Integration

Motor•Gross •Fine

Communication•Comprehension•Production

Social-Emotional

STEP 2: Target Play Behavior

• What is the next developmental play step?

• What category of play you would like to target?

STEP 2: Target Play Behavior (cont’d)

• Developmental Sequence of Play Behavior (handout)

• Categories of Play– Exploratory-sensory toys– Functional- telephone, pots n’ pans– Constructive- blocks– Dramatic or Symbolic- using a shoe for a phone– Games-with-rules- board games, tag, etc.– Rough-and-tumble- wrestling

Transdisciplinary Play Based Assessment (Linder, 1993)

STEP 3: Select the Toy

• Developmentally appropriate

• Multi-sensory appeal • Method of activation • Opportunities for success • Self-expression • Adjustability • Safety and durability • Potential for interaction The National Lekotek

Centerwww.lekotek.org

STEP 4: Make AdaptationsMATERIALS TO USE

• Velcro (there’s a variety!)

• Tongue depressors• Dycem• Fabric• Dowel Rods• Wooden handles• Switches

• Magnets• Felt Dots• Battery Interrupter• Rubber Bands• Pipe insulation/hair

curlers• PVC pipe• Suction cups

IMAGINATION!!!

STEP 5: Play!!

Techniques for Facilitating Play

• Parallel play- playing along side child

• Imitation- copying child’s activity

• Modeling- demonstrating how to play

• Expansion – building upon play skills

ACTIVITY1. Get in groups/teams of …2. Pick a toy from the bin 3. Describe child’s abilities (Child)4. Target play behavior (Play Skill)5. Select the Toy. Tell why you

selected that toy. (Toy)6. How will you adapt the toy or

activity? (Materials)

Questions?

What we covered

• Why children need to play• Resources for identifying play skills• Examined materials to adapt toys• Created our own, unique

adaptations!

• What did you learn that was useful? How will you apply it?

Review: Steps to Adapting Toys

1. Assess the Child’s Abilities (Child)

2. Target Play Behavior (Play Skill)

3. Select Toy (Toy)

4. Make Adaptations & Modifications (Materials)

5. PLAY!!!!

Useful Websites• Lekotek

– Great resource for accessible play ideas

– www.lekotek.org

• Patty King-Debaun– Alternative communication

strategies and resources– www.creative-comm.com

Useful Websites

• Let’s Play Project– Toy adaptations, communication and

play– cosmos.buffalo.edu/letsplay

/AT/at.html  • Simplified Technology

– Assistive technology and early childhood

– www.lburkhart.com

Other Resources

• PVC Book– Great ideas for the early childhood– How to make inexpensive toys &

seating out of PVC pipe.– Created by our own Diane Brians

NOW GO HAVE SOME FUN!!