Day Five- morning

We started the morning by looking at all the inventions of low-tech AT from Dollar Store materials. I found this part very interesting. Here are some of the items we looked at:

Sticky Tray - Using double sided suction cups, this group stuck a plate, bowl and board book to a serving tray. The items were very secure on the tray, so would be very useful for a child with poor motor control or involuntary movements.

Turkey baster pencil holder - This person put a pencil inside the turkey baster to increase the size of the pencil for students with fine motor difficulties. The squeeze top can be removed if too heavy, but will work as an eraser or fidget toy. Good for students with ADHD.

Squeeze bottle pencil - Using a squeeze bottle, cut the top off and stick a pencil inside. The amount of air inside can be adjusted for softer or harder grip. An elastic can be wrapped around the squeeze bottle to create more resistant grip and rocks can be added to create a weighted pencil for students who are not aware of where their pencil is in space.

Stand-up clipboard - A large car sponge with a flexible cutting board as a back. can be used to stand up paper of hold playing cards. For students who need help holding items, need this straight up in front of them so that they do not have to bend over.

Easy Grip magnetic letters - Magnetic strip, handled suction cup so child can pick up and move the strip around. an iPad holder as a stand. Cut up cutting board and stuck letters on pieces. Letters have handles made out of ice-cube tray and magnet on the back so children can form works with letters.

Spongy white board - Using large car sponges on the back of a white board, create an elevated white board. could cut sponges on an angle to create an angled surface.

Spatula scissors - This person cut handles off regular scissors, took top off silicon spatulas and put them on where the scissor handles were. she used a large clip to hold scissors on desk and kids can open and close handles. This would be useful for students with motor difficulties, grip problems, or difficulty telling hands to use scissors (motor planning) by opening and closing and following lines. Also, a one handed scissor cutting tool.

Dice Master - Place dice inside plastic butter dish. Students can shake dice without dice flying around the room. This would be useful for children with motor control problems and children with ADHD.

Swim Buddy - This AT is for students who need AAC in water. This person took a plastic pop bottle so that it floats. put a board maker sheet inside the bottle and seal the top on. This is waterproof and can easily changed when new words need to be added.
 Popsicle painter - Using a plastic Popsicle maker, put small limes and lemons on top to create and easy holder for students with difficulty gripping small items. On the inside put makeup sponges for students to paint. could put paints right in the Popsicle section or glue, sponges have shapes cut in them for painting fun.

Measure assist -  This person attached Velcro hooks to a bathroom squeegee and Velcro on ruler and protractor so the student can use the handle of the squeegee to pick up the tools. These math tools are very hard to pick up, so will assist students picking up items and still allow them to measure. Useful for one handled use or poor motor control. 


Skater Rex - toy dinosaur glued on a toy skateboard to encourage active play among students with special needs. His mouth opens and closes to help pick things up had a child's chew toy attached to the back for easy pick up.