Low tech

The picture above is the "before" of our low tech Assistive technology and the "after" invented adapted picture is at the bottom.

Student (personality): Jay is an 11 year old boy. He has gross and fine motor difficulties. Gross motor skills have developed greatly in the last two years. He is very low cognitively. His speech is difficult to understand most times and he also has weak grammar and articulation skills. He enjoys participating in all physical education classes though some activities are a challenge. He is persistent in doing the activities and having his speech understood by his communication partners. The teacher needs to be mindful that Jay is fairly competitive and can become fixated on winning games or being part of the winning team.

Milieu: Jay will have opportunities built into his day to use the adapted low tech device individually so that he can practice and improve with the device. He can use the device with a classmate as part of a reward choice and also for socializing skills. He could also use the device in a phys.ed class where the same or similar item is being used by everyone.

Technology & Time: The low tech A.T. device is a press and catch ball toy. It can be adapted in a variety of ways to ensure Jay is successful with its use and it can possibly be used over a lengthy period of time depending on Jay's rate of development with it. The device is lightweight and portable. It is easy to use and easy to adapt. The device can have a larger funnel wrapped around the top to help keep the ball in and a larger target field for catching. Varying size, weight and color balls can be used to ensure Jay is successful using the device. Adaptation to the pressing level could be created with a strong rubber band that decreases the amount of force needed by Jay to activate the ball popping. A string or large rubber band that is cut could be attached to the ball and the catching device to improve the chance of successful attempts. The materials for all adaptations are cost effective. The device could potentially be the exact same item as classmates are using in physical edcation classes or outside on the playground.

Task: Jay's main task with this device is to be successful in catching the ball. The device could easily be written into Jay's IPP as a resource for several of the following goals: improve strength in the hand and fingers, develop hand / eye coordination and develop appropriate social skills such as turn taking, sharing and dealing with losing.