101 Tips, Techniques, & Switch Use in Special Needs Sessions
This page is devoted to 101 tips, techniques, and topics for working with a switch or switches in the special needs classroom. There is no claim that every possible idea is covered and so, if you think that a particular idea is missing why not contact Talksense using the form provided at the bottom of this page and let us know. If it's good, we will add it to the list!
Note that not all the ideas will be relevant for every switch user; while there are a variety of ideas below, a few may be cognitively too demanding for some Learners.
Note that not all the ideas will be relevant for every switch user; while there are a variety of ideas below, a few may be cognitively too demanding for some Learners.
Idea 1: Label Your Switches
Idea 2: Create Sensory Snap or Switch Caps
Idea 3: Best Poles
Idea 4: Use an interface to switch adapt a mains operated system
Idea 5: Adapt a toy or a battery operated device for use with a switch.
Idea 6: Switching USB devices
Idea 7: Use a BIGmack or a LITTLEmack as a switch timer
Idea 8: Use an interface to prevent repeated activations of a switch
Idea 9: Prompting for switch use
Idea 10: Use a LIP switch to provide switch prompting
Idea 11: Use a switch to control PowerPoint
ideas include telling a story by putting a pic on each slide
Idea 12: Use a switch to control a scan
Idea 13: Use a switch to scan in PowerPoint
Idea 14: Use a switch to operate a BIGmack
Idea 15: Use a switch to operate a toy
It should be noted that not all switch adapted toys work the same way. Indeed many of them operated in the wrong way and do not conform to considered good practice.
Idea 16: Use a switch to control music
Idea 17: Use a switch to operate a fan
There are many educational as well as fun classroom uses for a fan. For example:
Use a fan to provide cause and effect. If a child is experiencing Profound Learning Difficulties and
Use a fan to operate a pinwheel, windsock, or wind chimes
fans with streamers attached to make them more sensory
Use a fan to operate a pinwheel, windsock, or wind chimes
fans with streamers attached to make them more sensory
Idea 18: Use a switch to control the environment
Idea 19: Use a switch to operate a leaf blower
Idea 20: Use a switch to operate a vacuum cleaner
Idea 21: Use a switch to promote conversation and social interaction
Idea 22: Use a switch to relax
Vibration
Music
....
Music
....
Idea 23: Use a switch to help reduce behaviours that staff may find challenging.
Idea 24: Use a switch for 'more' or 'again'
Idea 25: Use a switch to participate in stories
Idea 26: Use switches to make choices
Idea 27: Use a switch to ask for help
Idea 28: Use a switch to read a menu
Idea 29: Use a switch to race toys
Stage a race with two children operating two walking switch toys.
Idea 30: Use an interface that requires two or more switches to be activated.
xxx
Idea 31: Use a switch to knock things down!
Encourage the child to make a walking switch toy knock over blocks or card towers ...
Idea 32: Operate a switch by another action
Place a switch that plays music inside a shape sorter so that it will activate when the shapes are inserted.
Idea 33: Add Sensory Stimulation
Add a sensory component to various switch toys: add fragrance or extracts to the toys, cool them in a
refrigerator.
refrigerator.
Idea 34: Use a switch to control a hair drier
Have a friend hold a hair dryer while the child operates a hair or nail dryer to dry doll hair, fingernail
polish, or art projects.
polish, or art projects.
Idea 35: Use a switch to pick a card, photograph or symbol
The switch is attached to a toy that moves in a straight line. Cards, photographs or symbols are placed out along the table top. The Learner can operate the switch to move the toy and stop the toy by a particular image to select it. This could also be achieved with a train set providing the speed is not too fast.
Idea 36: Use a switch to teach the concepts of Stop and Go
Idea 37: Use a switch to teach cause and effect skills
Idea 38: Use a switch to teach Object Permanence
Idea 39: Use a switch to make a presentation
Present to a group
lead an assembly
lead an assembly
Idea 40: Use a switch as FIRE button in a game
Idea 41: Use a switch to feed the fish
Idea 42: Use a switch in cooking
Idea 43: Use a switch in Mathematics
Idea 44: Use a switch for lighting
Idea 45: Use a switch as a calendar
Idea 46: Use a switch to read a book
Idea 47: Use a switch as a dice
Idea 48: Use a switch with Spin Art products
Idea 49: Use a switch to pull or lift
Idea 50: Use a switch for art
Blow balls through paint across a canvas ..
Splat water colour paint from a water pistol
Splat water colour paint from a water pistol
Idea 51: Use a switch to take a photograph
Idea 52: Use a switch to watch a DVD
Idea 53: Easily mount switches using old carpet
Idea 54: Use a switch to be in control of a party game
Musical chairs (stop music)
Idea 55: Use a switch to operate an electric air pump
Idea 56: Use a switch to control electric pencil sharpener
Idea 57: Use a switch to control a sound operated device
Idea 58: Use a switch with an Allturnit Spinner
Use a swit
Idea 59: Use as switch to operate battery operated scissors
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