Ideas for Using Inexpensive Single Output Communication Buttons

 

So, you've bought one or more single output communication buttons. Here's some ideas on how to use them!

• Record the Happy Birthday Song so the user can sing to someone on their special day.
• Place 2 buttons on the fridge. On one, put a picture that represents drinking, on the other put a picture that represents eating.
• Record a portion of your morning circle time routine. Let the user press the switch to say their part in the morning routine.
• Add pictures that represent the steps for an activity. Record the instructions for that step on each of the buttons.
• Record a count down "3-2-1!" so the switch user can count down an event such as letting a balloon go, or sending up a toy rocket.
• Give the user only a small portion of their snack, Record "I want more" on their button and let them user ask for more snack.
• In the morning, record something special for your child to tell their teacher. Have the teacher record a message at the end of the day. Let the student push the button to share the messages.
• Pick a book with a repeating phrase. Record the phrase and let the child press their button to read the phrase when it comes up in the book.
• Record "Read the next page" so they can tell you when they are ready to have you read more of a story.
• Record a line from the school play so the child can have their turn at saying their line on stage.
• Pick a movie, then record "I would like a ticket to ______". Let the user press their switch at the box office to buy their own ticket.
• Decide food and drink choices before the waiter comes to take your order. Record the choices on the communication button so the user can order their own meal.
• Record a prayer for bedtime or dinnertime recitation.
• Record "It's my turn", "It's your turn", "No cheating" for use during game play.
• Record "Do you have anything for me to take to the office?" so the user can go around to the classrooms and retrieve items to take to the school office.
• Record "Do you have any shredding?" so the user can collect documents to shred from co-workers.
• Add a button by the toilet that says "I'm finished."
• Record "I need help". Use it in a variety of situations to reduce frustration.
• Record "I want some attention" so the user can press their switch to ask for attention (instead of screaming!)
• Record "Yummy" on one button and "Yucky" on another before trying a new food or drink.
• Record "I want something different". Use it to ask for different tv shows, different music, a different toy,...

Adaptive Tech Solutions is a therapist owned and operated company and we strive to provide adapted equipment for individuals with disabilities at affordable prices. Our owner, Denise, has been a Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Professional for over 30 years. She still actively works with folks with disabilities in her private practice and is happy to assist customers with product selection and in finding solutions to special situations. She also hand picks all the products we carry in our store and has the expertise to correctly advise how to use adaptive products.

For more information about Disabled Call Button and visit here:

https://www.adaptivetechsolutions.com/blog/ideas-for-using-inexpensive-single-output-communication-buttons/

SoundingBoard help for "Error: Record Permission is required

 

For those of you who are getting the error message in SoundingBoard that says "Error: Record Permission is required." Here are some tips that generally fix this issue.

Please make sure you have the latest iOS version and the latest SoundingBoard version. To see if these are up to date, do the following:

Go to “Settings” on your iPad, then on the page titled “General”, click “Software Update”. It will check for updates and alert you if you need to update to the latest version.

Once you have completed this step, go to the AppStore, click “Updates” located at the bottom of the screen. Scroll through the listings to see if SoundingBoard is there with “Update” next to it. Or, if you are not one to update your apps on a regular basis and have a long list to go through, you can search for the app. In the search box located in the upper right hand corner type “SoundingBoard” (without quotes). It will then search for that application. Once it is located it will either have a button to open the app or to update the app. Obviously, if it says update, you need to click on it and update the app!

You will continue to have glitches unless these are updated. Once this is done, please do the following:

Go to Settings on your iPad

Select “General”

Select “Restrictions” then either enter your pass code or select Enable Restrictions at the top of the right column if you have not enabled restrictions already. It will prompt you to enter a pass code, then re-enter it again.

Select Microphoneand locate SoundingBoard in the app list Ensure the slider is set so it is green next to the SoundingBoard app. Then close out the settings and try the SoundingBoard app again.

We hope you have found this free information to be helpful.

At Adaptive Tech Solutions, we are more than just a vendor of adaptive equipment. We want to empower individuals and provide information that makes individuals with disabilities more independent. As such, we offer a list of free or low cost communication software for the iPad, iTouch, iPod and other devices. This information can be located on our website atcommunication_apps_for_the_ipad_and_iphone2.cfm .

Save money on adapted equipment at http://www.adaptivetechsolutions.com . We offer switch adapted toys, low tech communication devices, caregiver alerts, switches and more.

 

 

Assistive Technology and Cerebral Palsy

 

Cerebral Palsy, the most common motor disorder, can make it difficult for people to interact with their environment. Through the use of assistive technology, such as  switches and switch adapted toys/devices, people with Cerebral Palsy can independently interact with their environment. Switches are buttons, levers, or sensors that can be activated with any part of the body. Switches vary in how much pressure is required to activate them. So, a person with very limited motor movements might do better with a Micro Switch, whereas a person with big, less controlled motor movements would do best with a large durable switch such as the Big Red Switch. Also, the body part being used to press the switch needs to be selected based on movements that are the most accurate, controlled, and consistent.

Individuals with Cerebral Palsy also often have speech disorders. For individuals with a significant speech impairment, they may not be easily understood by others. Through the use of communication devices (sometimes called talking boxes or talking buttons), people with speech impairments can communicate with others. There are a wide variety of communication devices ranging from single message output devices such as the Talk About!, to more advanced devices with multiple messages/topic pages such as the SuperTalker, and high tech devices such as those offered by companies that specialize in speech generating devices, such as Tobii Dynavox and PRC. Some individuals who aren't quite ready for these devices might benefit from a low tech system such as the Talk n Tote Board, a portable communication board that can have pictures and objects attached. 

Adaptive Tech Solutions, a therapist owned company, offers a wide variety of switches and switch adapted toys/devices to promote independence in people with disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy.

Adaptive Tech Solutions is a therapist owned and operated company and we strive to provide adapted equipment for individuals with disabilities at affordable prices. Our owner, Denise, has been a Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Professional for over 30 years. She still actively works with folks with disabilities in her private practice and is happy to assist customers with product selection and in finding solutions to special situations. She also hand picks all the products we carry in our store and has the expertise to correctly advise how to use adaptive products.

Unlike some of our competitors, with our switch adaptation service, nearly all our products are adapted to be used both with or without a switch. This means you get more for your money since the toys can be used with individuals with disabilities, and able-bodied individuals, too. These products are perfect for classroom, daycare, and other settings where disabled and non-disabled peers play together. 

For more information about Switch Toys For Special Needs  and visit here:

https://www.adaptivetechsolutions.com/blog/assistive-technology-and-cerebral-palsy/