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POSITIONING OPTIONS
For optimal switch play, several things must
be considered:
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The child should be in a comfortable position. Wherever
the child is positioned, in a chair, at a table, or
on the floor, the child should be secure so that s/he
can expend energy on participation. The child should
not be putting effort into balancing or maintaining
a particular position.
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The switch should be placed near the child’s
easiest, most reliable access site. Reflexive or abnormal
movement patterns should not be considered as appropriate
sites. Switch placement should not interfere with stable
body positioning.
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The toy/device that the child is activating should
be placed in close proximity to the switch itself. The
closer the switch is to the reacting toy/device, the
more concrete the relationship is. Thus, the placement
of the switch and target within a visual field is recommended,
if at all possible.
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The switch should be secured in
a stable position so that it doesn’t move out
of place when it is activated. Special switch holders
are available or items such as suction cups, Dycem (a
non-slip material) or a combination of Show Loop fabric
(female Velcro) with male Velcro adhered to the switch,
will act to stabilize the switch.
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There are also several mounting
systems available for more sophisticated switch securement.
These can include a combination of clamps, mounts, mounting
plates, rods and flexible arms. Pieces are sold separately
or as systems or kits.
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Switches can need to be further customized in order
to make them more appealing or functional to the user,
by adding color stickers or textures to them.
As children should be repositioned frequently
throughout the day, there can be more than one switch access
site, mounting system, and/or switch that will be chosen
for different activities in different positions. The stamina
of the child, the environments and activity requirements
will help to identify the most successful solutions.
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