This is arguably one of the best ways to experience cause and effect, since the effect only happens while the student’s hand is pressing the switch. This reinforces the concept that the student is making the effect happen. Here’s an example: Animal Olympics (press and hold a switch) Resources: Two battery operated switch adapted toys which will walk, such as a pig and an elephant. Two switches, one of which the student can use. Settings: If you are using a switch control box, set it to ‘direct’. How: Give the student one switch and you have the other yourself. Put the toys in the middle of a table and encourage the student to press the switch to make the toy walk. Press your switch at the same time as the student and race your animals across the table. The winner is the one who gets their toy to the other side of the table first. Extension Activities: You might like to make up little homes for the toys and help them reach them using your switches.
Switch Adapted Toys
Student uses a switch to produce a desired effect Student will press and hold a switch to achieve a desired effect with physical prompting (hand-over-hand). Student will press and hold a switch to achieve a desired effect with minimal physical prompting. Student can press and hold a switch to achieve a desired effect.
Electrical appliances, such as bubble tubes and fibre optic lamps, can all be controlled in this way. You will need to use a control box such as an Inclusive Click-On or a PowerLink, and use them on the ‘direct’ setting. A number of software packages can be used at this level too. Try the ‘movement’ levels in Big Bang for a computer activity. While this is one of the easiest ways to understand the function of the switch, some students, most likely those with motor difficulties, will find holding down a switch quite hard. If this is the case, don’t worry; just try any of the other skill areas.
Learning Journeys: Switch Progression Road Map
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