We recently built a new assistive technology switch device, called it the LIP switch, that will help young children or students to develop their switch skills.
The tutor connects a standard switch into one of the sockets on the front of the LIP switch. Each socket works on a 20, 30 or 40 seconds training interval. The device that is being switched is connected to the LIP switch through the output socket on the side. A second lead is connected to a communication device such as a BIGmack or 4Talk4 onto which a prompt such as has been recorded such as “press the switch again”.
Let’s say the tutor has selected the 20 second training interval and a toys is connected to the LIP switch.
When the student presses the switch the toy will play. Since the exercise is all about encouraging the student to press the switch again the LIP switch will send a trigger signal to the BIGmack to play its recorded prompt i.e. “press the switch again” if the student has not re-pressed the switch again after 20 seconds. The prompt is repeated after 20 seconds until the student presses the switch.
Tony Jones at TalkSense (see our Links page) was the inspiration for the LIP switch and it is only one of a series of new assistive technology Dream-Switches available from Excitim.
Take a look at the set-up shown here to see how it could be used in your switch training exercises and get in touch if you'd like to try it with your students.
