Activities for Single Switch Toys & Appliances

Purpose:

Switches can be used with battery-operated or electrical devices to give people with disabilities a way to participate in activities, control their environment, or even just play and discover cause & effect for the first time.

How It Works:

A switch works like an on/off button. Connecting it to a battery-operated toy or electrical appliance lets a person safely and easily turn the item on or off.

There is a tremendous variety of switches for people with limited motor skills or other disabilities: push, tilt, pull, latch, blink, sip & puff, etc. Have an OT help you choose best switch, and position, for the individual.

Materials:

Switch
Switch Latch & Timer
Copper Battery Device Adapter
Battery-Operated Toy, Radio, etc.
Electrical Toy or Appliance
Power Control Unit / Latch / Timer

The diagrams below show how to hook up a switch to a battery-operated device or to an electrical appliance.

Attaching Battery Operated Devices:

This diagram shows a switch (1) plugged into a switch latch & timer (2), which in turn is plugged into a copper battery device adapter (3). Insert the copper wafer into the battery compartment between any two contacts. You may need to file the edge of the compartment door to avoid pinching the cable when you latch the door.

Hooking Up Electrical Appliances:

This diagram shows a switch (1) plugged into a PowerLink (6) which also has a blender (5) plugged into it. The Powerlink unit must be plugged into the wall. The dial on the Powerlink allows you to adjust the amount of time an appliance will play following one press of the switch.

Battery Examples:

Bubble Machine - a fun and gentle option for kids with high tone reflexes
Animals - for zoo games, races, & more)
Cars & Trains - as is, or with a marker dragging behind to draw on large paper
Spin Art - a partner drips the paint
Musical Toys - participate in a performance
Walkman - music, books on tape, etc.
Adapted Lollypop Puppet - spinning lollypop from drugstore becomes a stand for an animated puppet!
Anything goes!!!

Appliance Ideas:

Radio / Tape Recorder/Player - play music & stories, or parts of songs & stories for circle time participation; or try musical chairs.
Fan - attach streamers for extra fun!
Nightlight or Holiday Lights - available in styles to fit your theme! The chaser type holiday lights are especially fun.
Blender - make shakes with a peer.
Popcorn Popper - see, hear, feel the popper work; smell &/or taste the treat!
Pencil Sharpener & other tools - work with a partner to do a class job or project
Air Hockey - switch user is the referee