Switch activities special needs

About 350 years ago when I was in college, I worked in a special ed classroom that had an AbleNet “All-Turn-It” spinner . This clever sturd...

Switch Activities for active learners in LIFE Skills.

We live in a digital world... technology is all around us! Our kiddos with disabilities should have the same opportunity to learn to use technology as students who are "typically developing." As special education teachers, it can be difficult to find ways that our kiddos can access technology. I've always loved switch activated cause and effect toys and games, but switch toys are expensive and my kids get bored of them after a few weeks of playing with them. When it comes to technology, I…

Did you know you could use your iPad as a switch? Or with a switch? All special education teachers need to know how to use their iPads like this! So many different accessibility features!

Are you looking to add some cause and effect toys to your early childhood special education classroom? Today, I’m sharing the 10 best cause and effect toys. Early childhood students will love playing pop up toys, pound a ball toy, learn and spin, and many more. Cause and effect toys for preschool kids will enjoy Pop the Weasel, sort and discover toys, and light up spinning wands. Check out the variety of toys for your children or special education students!

Things to Do With a Switch and a Battery Interrupter (Just insert the metal disc of the interrupter between the battery head and the receiver and plug in a switch, does not generally work with anything that recharges. Also, when using a battery adapted it will just turn the item on an off making things like a stapler or pencil sharpener "partner" activities. You may need to tape, glue or velcro down the devices built in power switch if you want it to be an independent activity. Many of these…

The classroom teacher picked up this blowup snowman after the holidays last year. This child, Jim, needs movement and light to draw visual attention to his weaker right visual field. In this inve…

Using AAC for communication in the classroom can be overwhelming. Here are my tips for using AAC to support students in the classroom.

So you're now working with an older PMLD student, perhaps a teenager and want to work on developing understanding of cause and effect. There is a lot of discussion around the idea of 'age appropriate' toys and resources. What is meant by that is not using toys developed for babies and toddlers with teenagers and young adults. Personally, I think there's no such thing as a toy that's not 'age appropriate' and if it is motivating and enjoyed then there's no reason not to use the toy. I mean, I…

How are you using task systems in your multiple disability classroom? In this blog post I go over activity rotations that you can incorporate to find independent work that fits for all of your multiple disability students. I include a list of all my special education activities such as bead bars, sensory boards, and swinging bear that are all great ways to involve sound, texture and color. Read through all of my special education ideas on implementing a structured activity rotation here.