February News You Can Use AT Tip: Using AT During Themed Activities Pediatric Items Available
SSIP Update: Scaling Up
Edited by Allyson Robinson, SLP and Assistive Technology Specialist and
Sandra Wright, PhD., CCC/SLP, both of Oklahoma ABLE Tech
AT Tip: Using AT During Themed Activities
March is coming! And with it, the luck of the Irish. All infants and toddlers who are served by SoonerStart are indeed lucky. Each SoonerStart team has access to a kit of different assistive technology devices. Using books as a foundation for themed activities provides not just the opportunity for repetitive learning tasks, but incorporating books provides a sense of ‘normal’ development activities for families that can be utilized even after the SoonerStart team has completed its visit. Consider implementing some of the following strategies as you prepare lessons for the month of March.
An article in the American Speech Language Hearing monthly newspaper, The ASHA Leader, recently published an article on the benefits of using books to address any speech or language skill. Click here to see the full article. There are many “no tech” and “low tech” options to integrate into book activities to make them accessible and interactive for infants and toddlers with disabilities.
How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace is a delightful story of adventure and planning. Clinicians can utilize Post-it notes to cover up some of the pictures to have the child guess what might be hiding under it based on words in the story. The clinician could pair a big Mack switch that says, “What’s under it?” to make the book interactive for a child that has limited motor abilities.
The Story of St. Patrick’s Day by Patricia Pingry is a board book that could be adapted to make the pages turn easily with small pompom balls or large paperclips to keep the pages separated from one another. More book adaptations can be located here. Clinicians could use a Powerlink connected to a blender or mixer to make Leprechaun pudding or some other delicious treat.
The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever by Teddy Slater is a book that contains rhyming words and phrases. Clinicians could utilize the mini light box and spinner to recreate the concept of a suncatcher from the story.
Finally, Good Luck! A St. Patrick’s Day Story by Joan Holub presents the opportunity to utilize the switch activated CD player with a switch that is appropriate for the child to listen to bagpipe or Celtic music at the control of the child.
Oklahoma ABLE Tech operates the Oklahoma Equipment Exchange (OEE) program to transfer durable medical equipment (DME) items that have been previously, gently used and are now available for other young children in need.
The OEE has recently acquired an Accent 1000. This is a dedicated speech generating device manufactured by Prentke Romich Company. It has a 10.1” display and weighs 3.6 pounds with the battery. It comes with the Unity® family with LAMP/Words for Life™ communication page options. The Accent 1000 is powered by PRC’s NuVoice® software.
ABLE Tech realizes the liability concerns that may surround using equipment that has already been used and encourages those acquiring the items to have equipment checked out by a DME Provider with expertise in the area of the device.
Per OEE Policies and Procedures: ABLE Tech shall not be liable for any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses (including but not limited to settlements, judgments, court costs and reasonable attorney's fees) fines and penalties, arising out of any actual or alleged injury, loss, or damage of any nature whatsoever in connection with the sale or use of any device donated, purchased or sold under the OEE.
If you choose to obtain a piece (or pieces) of DME on behalf of children you serve, please consider the above stipulations as you take on the responsibility of the safety of the child regarding the use of the equipment.
The OEE currently has several DME items available for children to assist with mobility/seating/positioning, to see a full list please visit: Oklahoma Equipment Exchange: Pediatric Items
For more information on these items and/or to see other available items, please contact Diana Sargent at 1-800-257-1705.
SSIP Update: Scaling Up
January has been very busy for the Part C portion of the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP)!!
Three different regions have received one, 2-hour training on assistive technology with time devoted to specific training on early literacy technology and activities. One region has also received a 2-hour training on funding and transitioning of assistive technology for children who are ‘aging out’ of SoonerStart services.
See below for pictures from the first training!
Book adaptation using jumbo paperclips created during the training.
Book adaptation using jumbo paperclips and pom poms created during the training.
Book adaptation using popsicle sticks created during the training.
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. -Helen Keller
Need funding to assist in the purchase of assistive devices? Oklahoma ABLE Tech offers a comprehensive online guide for Oklahoma Funding for AT. Additionally, ABLE Tech, in partnership with Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT) and BancFirst of Stillwater, offers Financial Loans to purchase assistive technology. Several programs of funding are available, all with LOW interest rate and flexible repayment terms, as well as special qualification opportunities for applicants who might not qualify for a traditional bank loan. For questions on the Financial Loan opportunities, call Shelley Gladden for more information at 800.257-1705.
Sandra Wright,
PhD., CCC/Speech-Language Pathologist
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
Oklahoma State University
1514 W. Hall of Fame, Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 800.257.1705
Email: sandra.wright@okstate.edu
Allyson Robinson,
Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
Oklahoma State University
1514 W. Hall of Fame, Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 800.257.1705
Email: allyson.robinson@okstate.edu
Oklahoma ABLE Tech operates the Oklahoma Equipment Exchange (OEE) program to transfer durable medical equipment (DME) items that have been previously, gently used and are now available for other young children in need.
Per OEE Policies and Procedures: ABLE Tech shall not be liable for any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses (including but not limited to settlements, judgments, court costs and reasonable attorney's fees) fines and penalties, arising out of any actual or alleged injury, loss, or damage of any nature whatsoever in connection with the sale or use of any device donated, purchased or sold under the OEE.
