Teresa Sturdivant
ED 6310
All students with disabilities are required by law to have an Individualized Education Plan. This plan must be developed once a year or more frequently according to student need. To meet the annual goals and objectives there are many different resources that can be used. The resources used should apply to the student's unique wants, needs, and interests. They should also provide them with a functional means to have an impact upon their environment across the activities of the natural daily routine. Many children who are multihandicapped are not motivated by a spontaneous need for movement. Consequently, the educator must provide stimulating products and activities. Many of these products stimulate a reaction from the students. However it may take over 100,000 attempts at getting a response. Persistence is necessary and well worth the wait.
Objectives may be as simple as turning head toward an object, or reaching out for an object.
Snoezelen products provide a multisensory environment. The Snoezelen Solar Projectors create light and moving images on the walls and ceiling. It makes fascinating pictures and shapes.
To order 1-800-793-7900 www.FlagHouse.com Flaghouse Special Populations
Many students use switches as a means to operate a radio, fan, blender, etc. These switches are big and bright and activate by being touched on any surface point. Lollipop Switch Set - Flaghouse Special Populations 1-800-793-7900
&nbs p; 2 Tolerating positioning is often an objective.
Tumble Forms - for prone and supine positioning Flaghouse Special Populations 1-800-793-7900
Foam Wedges - for partial weight bearing relaxation, or gross-motor activities Flaghouse Special Population 1-800-793-7900
For computer use Touch Windows Interactive Learning allows students to be successful from their first experience. Just touch an object or word on the plastic screen and the computer responds.
Technology for Education, Inc. 651-457-1917 www.tfeinc.com
Some Students may respond to an object by smiling or lifting their head. There are many available sensory products that attract the attention of the student. The Blinking Stop Light, UFO Flashing Lamp, Disco Light, and Fish Lamp all provide stimulation.
Students are often encouraged to help feed themselves. Utensils with grips are larger and easier to hold. They can be bent and adjusted at any angle. If needed, they can be ordered with an elastic strap. These are ideal for persons with a limited grip. These are called Good Grip Utensils. The Nose Cut-Out Glass is for people who choke easily or cannot tilt their head back. It is also useful for children who have cerebral palsy. The Grip Ware Round Scoop Dish has a low front and high back to accommodate individuals who have difficulty when eating. The curved, tapered side lets you scoop food more easily. Functional Solutions 1-800-235-7054 www.BeAbleToDo.com
Being presented with a preferred activity may help a student to calm their body,
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especially if they are self abusive. The Somatron Vibroacoustic Body Pillow is filled with beans that mold to your body. It is very comfortable to snuggle into. This has two built in speakers that play music vibration through the pillow, providing audible stimulation. The vibration relaxes tight muscles and stimulates circulation. The pillow helps develop sensory awareness.
Fun and Achievement 1-800-467-6222 www.tfhusa.com
An IEP may have an objective such going to an area of preferred activity. A favorite for many students is the Leaf Chair. This swing is similar to the shape of a banana. It is balanced to give a gentle movement. The Leaf Chair
can be hung from a steel frame or a suspension hook. The Swing Hammock can also hang from a steel frame or hook. This hammock is easy to get into and very comfortable. A beanbag is also a great positioning product that provides good support. These three products can be ordered from:
Fun and Achievement 1-800-467-6222 www.tfhusa.com
An objective may be to attend to an activity for ten minutes or longer. The Interactive Tactile Wall has fifteen different tactile features. This fixes to the wall with brackets. It has two hundred points of changing colored fiber optics activated by large switch pads. This includes tactile chain, rope, balls, string and a mirror, to name a few. The Tactile Wall can be ordered through:
Fun and Achievement 1-800-467-6222 www.tfhusa.com
A "Little Room" provides the opportunity for the student to reach for and manipulate the hanging objects. This "little room" should contain tactile and sensory
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items. Items that would work well to encourage the student to make choices between objects include:
Tactile Streamers - this is a selection of different fabrics and materials fixed to a mounting in front of a mirror. Another interesting product is a Fiber Optic Waterfall. The student can handle the fibers. The fibers are suspended by a screw-in hook. These items can be purchased from:
Celestia Multi-Sensory Environments 1-800-467-6222 www.tfhusa.com
A Musical Fan could also be set up in a "Little Room." By pressing the big red button the student would experience a breeze and music. The button activates with a slight touch. A cage covers the blades for safety.
This can be ordered through Flaghouse Special Populations 1-800-793-7900 www.FlagHouse.com
Tolerating a certain activity may include using a footbath.
The Aroma Spring combines the benefits of Aromatherapy with hydro-foot massage from two hundred and twenty massage nodules. It may also be used without water for effective foot massage. This may also be preferred activity for the student. Water is maintained at a set temperature and a continuous stream of tiny bubbles from seventy-two jets soothes the feet.
This can be purchased through TFH Professionals Catalog 1-800-467-6222 www.tfhusa.com
If the student has an objective to stand with support, an option may be the WenzeliteWalker. This meets the needs of students with a wide variety of balance and
5 gait challenges. It is available as a traditional front walker or as a posterior walker. The
Platform Rocker allows the student to sit in his or her wheelchair and experience the benefits of rocking. Two straps tie down the wheelchair to the platform for safety. This can be used for an exercise workout or for the calming, gentle sensory effects of rocking. These two items can be ordered through TherAdapt (Innovative therapeutic equipment) 1-800-261-4919 www.theradapt.com
Music is a natural choice of working on IEP goals. Holding instruments and using songs with rhythm can improve both mobility and balance. A Gourd Rattle, Ethnic Shaker, Ethnic Drum, Thumb Piano, Plinka Plonka, and the Ethnic Penny Whistle can all be ordered through TFH Professionals Catalog 1-800-467-6222 www.tfhusa.com
For choice making the PowerLink Three Control Unit can be used with almost anything electric. This would be used with two AirLink Switches. For communication purposes a Big Red Switch, Jelly Bean Switch or a Specs Switch can have a recorded message and activate no matter where they are pressed. The PowerLink, AirLink and Switches can be ordered through AbleNet Product Catalog 1-800-322-0956 www.ablenetinc.com