Switch Use for Switch Use for Young ChildrenYoung Children

Cindy Cavanagh, CCC-SLP, ATPAssistive TechnologyMississippi Bend AEA729 21st St.Bettendorf, IA 52722ccavanagh@aea9.k12.ia.us 563-344-6321

Demonstration of switch Demonstration of switch useuse

Featuring:Featuring:Quack Quack DuckyQuack Quack Duckyand a pillow switchand a pillow switch

The word “event” refers The word “event” refers to:to:

Activation of a toyActivation of a toy Voice output that results in a response Voice output that results in a response

from a person (from a person (BIG Step by StepBIG Step by Step) ) Discontinuation of an event (Discontinuation of an event (Big Step by Big Step by

Step and Step by Step) Step and Step by Step) Activation of an appliance (e.g. fan)Activation of an appliance (e.g. fan) Activation of an appliance that results in Activation of an appliance that results in

another event by people (e.g. fan and then another event by people (e.g. fan and then everyone yells, “Turn it off!”everyone yells, “Turn it off!”

Simultaneous activation of two or more Simultaneous activation of two or more events (toys/appliances, etc.) (e.g. music events (toys/appliances, etc.) (e.g. music and lights)and lights)

Three areasThree areas

Single Switch UseSingle Switch Use Multiple Switch UseMultiple Switch Use Switch Scanning UseSwitch Scanning Use

Single Switch Use: Single Switch Use: Purpose Purpose

Teach control of the bodyTeach control of the body Teach the relationship between a movement Teach the relationship between a movement

and an eventand an event Provide independent recreational opportunitiesProvide independent recreational opportunities Provide easy access to an eventProvide easy access to an event Provide a foundation for expansion of event Provide a foundation for expansion of event

control (eventually moving to multiple control (eventually moving to multiple selections)selections)

Provide experience with symbolic Provide experience with symbolic communication (receptive and expressive)communication (receptive and expressive)

Types of Learning

Multiple Switch ControlMultiple Switch Control Teach greater control of the bodyTeach greater control of the body Teach the relationship between a Teach the relationship between a

particular movement and an eventparticular movement and an event Provide selection of independent Provide selection of independent

recreational opportunitiesrecreational opportunities Provide easy access to two or more eventsProvide easy access to two or more events Provide multiple event controlProvide multiple event control Provide experience with symbolic Provide experience with symbolic

communication (receptive and expressive)communication (receptive and expressive)

Multiple Switch Use: Multiple Switch Use: PurposePurpose

Provide expansion of all of the Provide expansion of all of the previous items in the environment of previous items in the environment of control over two or more control over two or more eventsevents

Provide opportunity for greater Provide opportunity for greater personal decision-personal decision-makingmaking

These are the result of These are the result of using switch control of using switch control of

events:events: Interaction with other childrenInteraction with other children Opportunity to engage in academic Opportunity to engage in academic

activitiesactivities Opportunity to demonstrate learningOpportunity to demonstrate learning Preparedness for new learningPreparedness for new learning Development of the independence “spark”Development of the independence “spark” Opportunity for independent enjoymentOpportunity for independent enjoyment Opportunity for personal decision-makingOpportunity for personal decision-making

Switch Scanning Use Switch Scanning Use (auditory or visual): (auditory or visual):

PurposePurpose Provide all of the previous items in a Provide all of the previous items in a

different mode of event selectiondifferent mode of event selection Expand event control for children Expand event control for children

who do not yet have the physical who do not yet have the physical control for multiple switch accesscontrol for multiple switch access

Featuring: Featuring: Firefly; Bubble Blower; Firefly; Bubble Blower; Vibrating BugVibrating Bug

Baseline Information and Baseline Information and Goal SettingGoal Setting

What can this child do now?What can this child do now? What do we believe this child can do What do we believe this child can do

if I help him/her learn to control if I help him/her learn to control events?events?

How will this impact this child’s How will this impact this child’s general development? (i.e. How does general development? (i.e. How does this fit into other goals?)this fit into other goals?)

How does this fit into the long-term How does this fit into the long-term plans for this child?plans for this child?

Baseline Information and Baseline Information and Goal Setting (cont.)Goal Setting (cont.)

Establishment of reinforcement Establishment of reinforcement hierarchyhierarchy

What is the reinforcement hierarchy?What is the reinforcement hierarchy? Consider general sensory trendsConsider general sensory trends Consider specific events (toys, routines, Consider specific events (toys, routines,

etc.)etc.) Consider day-to-day variabilityConsider day-to-day variability Consider variability across a dayConsider variability across a day Consider influencesConsider influences

Reinforcement Hierarchy (Things I like and things I don’t like)

Baseline Information and Baseline Information and Goal Setting (cont.)Goal Setting (cont.)

Establishment of reinforcement Establishment of reinforcement hierarchy (continued)hierarchy (continued) Considerations for the non-preferred Considerations for the non-preferred

items on the reinforcement hierarchyitems on the reinforcement hierarchy Must be something the child does not preferMust be something the child does not prefer Must be something that is neutral or good Must be something that is neutral or good

for the childfor the child Must be something that fits into the context Must be something that fits into the context

of an activity (e.g. washing face off while of an activity (e.g. washing face off while eating)eating)

Baseline Information and Baseline Information and Goal Setting (cont.)Goal Setting (cont.)

Baseline conditions and Baseline conditions and considerations for selectionconsiderations for selection Condition 1: Switch unattachedCondition 1: Switch unattached Condition 2: Switch unattached – Condition 2: Switch unattached –

Instruction to activateInstruction to activate Condition 3: Switch attached to high Condition 3: Switch attached to high

reinforcementreinforcement Condition 4: Switch attached to low Condition 4: Switch attached to low

reinforcementreinforcement

Conditions

Progression of Switch Use

Sample Goal

InterventionIntervention Seating/positioningSeating/positioning Experience with movementExperience with movement Switch type (including size, texture, color)Switch type (including size, texture, color) Switch locationSwitch location Reinforcement value (including novelty)Reinforcement value (including novelty) Pre-activity intervention (e.g. PT, Pre-activity intervention (e.g. PT,

movement, sensory stimulation, etc.)movement, sensory stimulation, etc.) Time of dayTime of day Length of activityLength of activity Amount of experience with the activityAmount of experience with the activity Environmental competition for attention Environmental competition for attention

Interventions to consider

Equipment BasicsEquipment Basics Battery interruptersBattery interrupters Batter controllerBatter controller Power unit for electrical devicesPower unit for electrical devices Battery-powered devicesBattery-powered devices Electrical (plug-in) devicesElectrical (plug-in) devices SwitchesSwitches Computer switch interfaceComputer switch interface Universal mounting systemUniversal mounting system Symbol system Symbol system

Basic Equipment

Additional ItemsAdditional Items

These items may not be needed in These items may not be needed in every room and access could be every room and access could be through a district cache.through a district cache. Variety of switch typesVariety of switch types Varied toys/appliancesVaried toys/appliances SoftwareSoftware Variety of mounting optionsVariety of mounting options Standardized tactile system (IBSS)Standardized tactile system (IBSS)

Switch-Activated Item Switch-Activated Item MatrixMatrix

Note: consider comfort level of students when using each itemNote: consider comfort level of students when using each item Sound Sound Switch-activated CD playerSwitch-activated CD player

Visual movement Visual movement Fan blowing streamersFan blowing streamers

Visual movement and sound Visual movement and sound (fan blowing packing peanuts – children in the room (fan blowing packing peanuts – children in the room

pick them up)pick them up) ElefunElefun

Vibration Vibration Vibrating BugVibrating Bug FireflyFirefly

Switch-Activated Items Matrix (SAIM)

Switch-Activated Item Switch-Activated Item MatrixMatrix

Steady LightSteady Light Base lightBase light

Flashing/Moving LightFlashing/Moving Light Flashing base lightFlashing base light Disco lights/mood lightsDisco lights/mood lights

Brief Sound/lightBrief Sound/light Polaroid cameraPolaroid camera

AirflowAirflow Fan Fan

SmellSmell Temperature (hot/cold/tepid)Temperature (hot/cold/tepid) Body movementBody movement

Examples of Computer Examples of Computer softwaresoftware

for single and two-switch for single and two-switch development:development: SimTechSimTech

Switch WarsSwitch Wars Switch KidsSwitch Kids Switch Puzzle #6Switch Puzzle #6

IntelliToolsIntelliTools PatternsPatterns ScenesScenes PicturesPictures

Living BooksLiving Books Arthur’s Teacher TroubleArthur’s Teacher Trouble

SwitchesSwitches

PressurePressure ToggleToggle MercuryMercury VoiceVoice TemperatureTemperature Muscle movementMuscle movement Light interruptionLight interruption

MountsMounts

Specific to switchesSpecific to switches UniversalUniversal Specially designedSpecially designed

The Assistive Technology The Assistive Technology Loan Library (ATLL)Loan Library (ATLL)

Web-based checkout of appliances, Web-based checkout of appliances, toys and control unitstoys and control units

Switch checkout through ATSwitch checkout through AT Mount checkout through ATMount checkout through AT Consultation available through ATConsultation available through AT

Development of a local Development of a local librarylibrary

Solicitation of devicesSolicitation of devices Fund-raisingFund-raising Housing of devices and checkoutHousing of devices and checkout Upkeep/batteriesUpkeep/batteries Weeding and continued acquisitionWeeding and continued acquisition

Transition of ATTransition of ATLocate forms for transfer of Locate forms for transfer of

assistive technology at:assistive technology at:

www.aea9.k12.ia.uswww.aea9.k12.ia.us