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Switch Toys - Where
to Begin
What’s
a switch toy?
A battery-operated toy that has been adapted to be used
with a single switch. Most battery-operated toys can be
used to provide a way for a child to independently play.
Switches can give a child control over starting and stopping
a toy and provide a means to play in a group. To begin,
you will need an adapted battery-operated toy and a switch.
Choosing a Switch
Switches come in all shapes and sizes.
They are often used by a hand or arm, but can be used
with any body part. A child should be able to voluntarily
activate the switch with large or small movements. Our
experience indicates that young children most frequently
use a 2 to 5” push switch. |
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Battery-operated
toys
These can be found in most toy and novelty stores. Look
for ones that use AA, C or D batteries and that appeal to
the child. Does s/he like toys that are noisy or musical?
fast or slow? High or low contrast colors? For success by
young children, look at the movement of the toy. Toys that
make sound or action but stay in one place are best; or
those which move slowly in a straight line. A child will
want to anticipate and control the movement of the toy.
Permanently adapted toys can be purchased through special
catalogs or a battery adapter can be used with “off
the shelf” toys.
To Use a Battery Adapter: Insert a battery adapter
between 2 batteries or at the end of one.
Putting
it all together
After you have inserted the battery adapter, close the battery
door (you may need to use a file to make a space for the
cord). Attach the switch to the toy and let the child play!
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Switch
Toy Hints
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secure the switch with velcro or a sturdy mount
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turn the toy towards the child- it will keep
him/her more involved
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try adding props; knocking down blocks is always
fun!
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use these toys are part of pretend play; a fire
engine comes to the rescue!
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consider toys that can be used with small groups;
such as Spin Art, Elefun or the Bubble Machine.
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Resources: Switches
and Switch Toys
Ablenet
1081 10th Avenue East
Minneapolis, MN 55414-1312
(800) 322-0956 |
Don Johnston, Inc.
P.O. Box 639
1000 N. Rand Road, Bldg. 115
Wauconda, IL 60084
(800) 999-4660 |
TASH, Inc. (Technical Aids
& Systems
for the Handicapped)
Unit 1-91 Station Street
Ajax, Ontario, Canada L1S3H2
(800) 463-5685 |
Enabling Devices
385 Warburton Avenue
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
(800) 234-6006 |
HCT - Handicapped Children’s
Technological Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 7
Foster, RI 02825
(401) 861-3444 |
Jesana, Ltd.
P.O. Box 17
Irvington, NY 10533
(800) 443-4728 |
TFH (USA) Ltd.
4537 Gibsonia Rd.
Gibsonia, PA 15044
(412) 444-6400 |
Therapeutic Toys
P.O. Box 418
Moodus, CT 06469-0418
(800) 638-0676 |
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