During a conversation, many unspoken rules are followed by both speaker and listener. Things like taking turns to speak, paying attention to your communication partner, making eye contact and many more. We don’t even know we are doing it!
Unfortunately, individuals with communication difficulties often have to be taught some of these skills that we take for granted. When communication difficulties are as a result of a physical impairment, these skills very often do not develop naturally and can be quite hard to teach.
Learning Cause & Effect is a critical first step in engaging somebody for possible communication.
Switches can be used to teach cause and effect and choice making. If the outcome is motivating, the person would likely try to activate the switch again! I like devices that provide sensory feedback – these are highly motivating and can’t fail!
Example:
SWITCH ACCESSIBLE VIBRATING MASSAGE TUBE
The massage tube will only vibrate as long as the switch is depressed, and you can use any switch – see our switches section for information on what is available.
SENSORY (SNOEZELEN ROOM) ELEMENTS AND CONTROLLER
Some interactive controllers can control compatible elements in a snoezelen or sensory room. The controller has switch ports, which then allows for the user to change the colour for the bubble tube, fibre optics, ball pond etc. Snoezelen rooms are lovely as they provide an immersive experience!
PLAYING SWITCH ACCESSIBLE GAMES ON A COMPUTER
By using a switch interface such as a Joycable or Simple Switch Interface to attach the switch to a computer, the switch can replace a mouse click on appropriate games. Alternatively, you could use wireless switches (see our switch section for more information)
Switch games are designed to teach:
Cause and effect,
Maintaining switch activation,
Switch release,
Timed activation,
Two switch use and
More than two switch use
SWITCH ACCESSIBLE SOFTWARE
HELPKIDZLEARN
HelpKidzLearn is an online collection of accessible games and activities. The games can be played using switches, eye gaze, mouse & touch screen. Learning resources for the very earliest players are included in this incredible value, award winning collection.
BIG BANG
Big Bang has eye catching images, stimulating movement and crazy sound effects and music to match! It grabs the user's attention and encourages interaction with the computer. Visual and auditory stimulation, visual tracking and more...
SWITCHIT! RANGE
One of our favourites, this is a flexible and engaging software range, with many options to customise for different skill levels. Includes animated sequences that unfold as the user advances the activities, building pictures and seeing them animate, or use the one-step option for basic cause and effect. The Flash Cards section allows you to flip through a selection of large pictures that relate to the theme and learn vocabulary. Use with keyboard, mouse, touch screen or switch.
SWITCH SKILLS SERIES
The activities have exciting themes that provide all the motivation needed to help students who understand cause and effect to develop more disciplined switch use. The activities also encourage speaking and listening and help develop concentration skills. The bright, clear graphics are suitable for those with visual impairment and there is lots of sound and music too.
CHOOSE AND TELL SERIES
These five titles are available separately or as a pack. Full of fun decisions to make, and puzzles to solve, this program is sure to motivate your learners! You decide where the characters will go, how to get there, what they do, what they cook - and then see what happens as a result! Great for story telling skills and imagination. Lots of fun adventures with comical results.
These are just a few examples, there are many more ways to teach these important early communication skills. If you need help or feel overwhelmed, please let us know so we can help you!