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Examples for Adapting Play

Toys with Small Buttons ENLARGE = Use hot glue to adhere pieces of foam board to make larger buttons. You can match the larger buttons to the orginal toy theme by drawing with marker.

Page Fluffers Page fluffers make turning pages easier by ENLARGING or increasing the space between the pages of a book. You can use a variety of different materials to make "page fluffers." Some examples include: velcro, peel-and-stick foam sheets, furniture protectors, hot glue and foam board, popiscle sticks, or clothespins. For more ideas on page fluffers visit: www.ese.ocps.net or www.creativecommunicating.com

Farm Set STABILIZE= Non-slip drawer liner helps to stabalize the farm on the coffee table and keep it from sliding. Zelcro was used to attach the farm animals to their matching sound buttons. ENLARGE= A clamp was used to enlarge a turning knob.

	Crayons and Chalk There are many different products available that can assist a child with impaired motor skills to color. Look for products that fit easily into the palm of a hand or ENLARGE a coloring utencil. Compared to thin crayons, these products require less fine motor skills to hold/manipulate. In addition, they won't break as easily if a child applies too much presssure due to an unrefined grasp. The examples shown include: a crayon ball, crayon holder, egg-shaped chalk, and a sidewalk chalk holder.

Coloring POSITION= Use a three ring binder to create a slant board. This helps bring the materials closer to the person. Consider this option for children with limited range of motion. STABILIZE= Use a large chip clip or clothespins to hold the paper in place (left). Or use zelcro to adhere a magnadoodle (right).

Puzzles ENLARGE= Use hot glue to adhere large, easy-to-grasp knobs to puzzle pieces. You can use old thread spools or purchase wooden spools from a craft store.

©Heather Atkins, MS, CCC-SLP
heather.atkins@comcast.net