How We Play!

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How We Play!
Toys as the Tools of Play
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Lets Play! Projects University at
BuffaloCenter for Assistive Technology

• Susan Mistrett
• mistrett_at_buffalo.edu
• Website http//letsplay.buffalo.edu

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Lets Play! Projects

• US Dept of Education funding since 1995
• Focus on play needs of families with children
  with disabilities
• Provide research education to parents,
  caregivers and professionals who work with these
  families
• Collaborate with play organizations toy
  manufacturers to design toys with Universal
  Design features

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SELECTING TOYS Sensory Characteristics Adaptatio
ns for Increased Access

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Role of Toys for Children with Disabilities

• Toys may be even more necessary
• Provide access to play
• Guide the play activity itself
• Children may need increased variety for sustained
  interest
• Familiar toys promote increased expanded use

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Toy DesignIncreased off-the-shelf Options

• Safety regulations for toys for young children
  resulted in better design
• Electronic components increase accessibility in
  many toys
• Use of Universal Design Principles for play
  right out of the box!

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• Lets Explore
• Toy Characteristics

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Toy Features to Consider

• What toy characteristics influence toy choice?

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What does the toy do?

• What are its sensory characteristics?
• visual lights, colors, movement
• sound intensity, quality, length
• touch texture, firmness, vibration

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What does the child do to make it work?

• How does the toy turn on/off?
• if it is activated by a knob, switch, button, is
  it easy to see/reach, grasp?
• Are there multiple areas? Parts?
• Is it difficult to do?
• Given the abilities of the child, is this toy
  accessible enough to be fun?

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Physical Features

• What is its size/shape does this effect where it
  can be used?
• Is it portable?
• Can it be used on a table or tray?
• Is it safe for the child?

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Switch Toy features

• Same considerations as any toy
• Sensory
• Physical access
• Physical attributes
• Plus one more movement!

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Selecting Switch Toys

• Toy movement/ directionality
• Stationary
• Horizontal
• Vertical
• 3D- circular
• Random

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Toy Characteristics ActivityWhat can you tell
us about the toy?
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Adapting Toys

• Suggested materials

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Increase Access

• Increase physical access
• What would make it easier to hold, shake, grab,
  release, bat, etc.
• Increase awareness highlight access areas
• Modify toy and the position its used in
• May substitute different materials (e.g.
  switches)

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• Increase sensory cognitive access
• Simplify how it is presented
• Limit the number of choicespiecestype
  amount of sensory feedback

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Make it easier to use

• Stabilize

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• Extend/enlarge

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• Highlight toy areas
• To highlight toy pieces or access parts, change
  the appearance/feel of these objects by placing
  velcro, cotton, sponge, shelf liner, carpet
  pieces etc. on the toy pieces. 

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• Attach

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• Confine/Support(keep with reach visual field)

• Consider
• boxtops, lids
• hula hoops
• trays

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Adapt commercial toys
Battery operated toys can be used with a switch
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Create Switch Toys

• Battery Operated (AA,C,D)
• Plush Toys
• Flashlights
• Tape recorders
• Games
• Operation
• Gearation

• Plug-in Connection
• Lights
• Christmas
• Tubes
• Lighted shapes
• Radios
• Appliances

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Access Selecting Switches
Which are Your Favorites?
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Adaptation Activity

• How can the toy be adapted?
• Physical Cognitive Sensory
• Impairments