Choosing a Toy

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Choosing a Toy For Your Child

I've decided to include this section as it appears in the book "Caring For Your Child With Hydranencephaly" as it has very good points.

How to find the right toy for your child
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/196602/103-9317720-8871044

Selecting a toy for a child with disabilities? Here are the questions that the play experts at the National Lekotek Center ask when choosing developmentally appropriate toys for differently abled kids. Use these questions to guide you in making the right match between the child for whom you're buying and the toys in the Toys "R" Us Guide for Differently Abled Kids!

1. Multisensory appeal
Does the toy respond with lights, sounds, or movement to engage the child? Are there contrasting colors? Does it have a scent? Is there texture?

2. Method of activation
Will the toy provide a challenge without frustration? What is the force required to activate? What are the number and complexity of steps required to activate?

3. Places the toy will be used
Will the toy be easy to store? Is there space in the home? Can the toy be used in a variety of positions such as side-lying or on a wheelchair tray?

4. Opportunities for success
Can play be open-ended with no definite right or wrong way? Is it adaptable to the child's individual style, ability, and pace?

5. Current popularity
Is it a toy that will help the child with disabilities feel like "any other kid?" Does it tie in with other activities like books and art sets that promote other forms of play?

6. Self-expression
Does the toy allow for creativity, uniqueness, and making choices? Will it give the child experience with a variety of media?

7. Adjustability
Does it have adjustable height, sound volume, speed, and level of difficulty?

8. Child's individual abilities
Does the toy provide activities that reflect both developmental and chronological ages? Does it reflect the child's interests and age?

9. Safety and durability
Does the toy fit with the child's size and strength? Does it have moisture resistance? Is the toy and its parts sized appropriately? Can it be washed and cleaned?

10. Potential for interaction
Will the child be an active participant during use? Will the toy encourage social engagement with others?

Toys that help provide stimulation to our children
Fisher Price Crawl Along Drum Roll
Keyboards
Disney Dancing Babies-motion and voice activated music
Mobiles
Fisher Price ‘Bat and Wobble Ball’
Tomy play by lights piano
Sesame Street Magic Moves Piano
Rain Maker
Baby Gyms

As a number of children seem to really like the rain sticks. I’m including the link that has directions to make them. http://www.exploratorium.edu/frogs/rain_stick/

Here are some adaptive toys and switches that our children can use.

POWERLINK 3 CONTROL UNIT

Description: Environmental control unit that allows user to operate up to 2 electrical appliances using a single switch. Provides 1700 watts of power.

To Operate: Select the mode of switch control (direct, latch, or timer) to match the individual's need. Plug the switch and appliance into the control unit. Plug the control unit into the wall outlet.

Application: Control unit gives single switch users with limited hand use and memory/organization the opportunity to participate in many activities. Unit also helps users who enjoy visual, auditory and tactile stimulation to activate sensory stimulation devices. Examples include cooking (turning on/off a blender), work (operating an electric stapler), recreation (listening to music on a tape recorder) and self care (operating a blow dryer).

Vendor(s): AbleNet Inc Approximate Cost: $180.00

SINGLE SWITCH LATCH & TIMER

Description: Control unit that allows user to activate a battery-operated device using an adapted switch. Unit has 3 settings (timed seconds; timed minutes; latch on/off). Settings determine the amount of time the device operates once the individual activates the switch. Must be used with a battery device adapted or a pre-adapted toy/device. Requires 9 volt battery. Other models are available offering more features, such as dual switch input.

To Operate: Plug the individual's adapted switch into the control unit. Plug the control unit into the battery-operated device. Turn dial to the desired setting (timer; latch).

Application: Control unit gives users with limited hand use, vision, and memory/organization the ability to operate any battery-operated device with an adapted switch. Settings enable an activity to be set up in a variety of ways to help each individual. For example, using the timer provides multiple opportunities to use the switch to activate a favorite device. Unit can also make sensory activities more effective for individuals who benefit from visual, auditory and tactile stimulation

Vendor(s): AbleNet, Inc. Approximate Cost: $70.00

Switch-Activated Ring Around Bells (This was mentioned to me as a favorite for many of the children.

This toy features 8 different colored bells that are arranged in a scale. When activated by a switch, the bells spin and hit a small wooden ball, producing delightful sounds. These bells provide access to music-making for individuals who can use a switch.

Toys for Special Children, Inc.
385 Warburton Avenue
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
Tel: 1-800-832-8697
Fax: 1-914-478-7030
Web: www.enablingdevices.com
Email: info@enablingdevices.com

Lakeshore Learning Materials
2695 E. Dominguez St.
Carson, CA 90749
Tel: 1-800-421-5351
Fax: 1-310-537-5403
Web: www.lakeshorelearning.com
Email: lakeshore@lakeshorelearning.com

Neurosmith By Musini**

E=MC2! Neurosmith's revolutionary Musini magically converts your child's energy into music and creativity! Musini's patented MagicSensor transforms any room into a musical playground where every step, turn, touch, and tap activates a unique musical response. Children simply select their favorite musical styles and instruments and start moving! Musini does the rest - sensing the strength and speed of each vibration and responding with a totally personal and unique musical composition. Mini-maestros explore tempos, rhythmic patterns, and musical structures and they'll never make the same masterpiece twice! Musini encourages physical expression and creativity, rewarding each movement with inspiring music. Children can also explore various musical styles, instruments, tempos, and structures, cultivating a deeper understanding and lifelong appreciation of music.

This site has a long list of toys that can be activated by switches
http://www.umf.maine.edu/~sped/Switch%20Toys/swichtoy.htm

Other pages in this section:
Sensory Stimulation Links and Resources
Sensory Stimulation Experiences
Sensory Stimulation Activities
Active Learning
Structural Cognitive Modifiability

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August 16, 2001- January 12, 2005

This website is funded in loving memory of Jason S. by his mother Kammy

The information on this site is provided by families, caregivers, and professionals who are or have been caring for a child with Hydranencephaly.

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