We had an inservice this morning on using the Accessibility Options in Windows. One trick to help students who have difficulty keeping their mouse cursor pointer on the vertical scroll bar, or on the little up/down arrows, is to widen the vertical scroll bar. Look in the Accessibility Wizard for how to do this.
Another option that can save all of us some time each day is to use the "Snap-to" option that sends the mouse cursor pointer to the default button in whatever dialogue box opens on your screen. Instead of "driving" the mouse over to the "OK" button, the mouse cursor pointer jumps over to it and you just have to hit "Enter." Not just time-saving, but also wrist-saving. Go to the Control Panel and choose "Mouse" to find this option.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
PowerPoint pointers
Do you work with high school or college-age students who find it hard to take notes on their laptop computers during the teacher's PowerPoint presentations? If the teacher is willing, copy the presentation onto the student's laptop. With the presentation open, click "View" on the toolbar to change from "Normal" to "Notes Page." Now the student will have a text box in which to write class notes about each slide. When the student closes the presentation s/he will be prompted to save the changes and he'd better say YES.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Joe Paxson
This afternoon we went to a memorial service for a friend. Now, don't think I'm all sad; it's a mixed feeling. I'm sad for his family that he is no longer here with them. All of his friends are sad that we won't see him here anymore. But, we are joyfully confident that he is set free from his health problems and with the Lord he has loved for so long.
His daughter gave me permission to put this piece on the blog. I hope you'll enjoy this recollection of Joe, who spent so many years making adaptive equipment for kids:
When Joe retired from his steel manufacturing company I figured he would spend more time on his hobbies, like making stained glass windows and learning more about his computer. He discovered that the Richmond Cerebral Palsy Center was on the lookout for a unique type of volunteer and this began Joe's twenty years of skilled service to kids in our area who needed customized, adaptive equipment.As an experienced structural engineer, Joe knew how to build adaptive equipment for children; equipment that was sturdy and versatile, but also lightweight and easy to transport. His hands were gnarled from the injuries he received during the Battle of the Bulge in WWII, so he understood that equipment which was easy to adjust and lift had a greater chance of really being utilized in a busy classroom or home. When Lois (his wife) was still tole painting, she often added small designs to the finished chairs or seat inserts, a signal to the children and their families that this was no ordinary, commercial piece of equipment but one which had been created with care by a master craftsman.
Joe enjoyed working with all the OTs, PTs, Speech-Language Pathologists, teachers, parents and--most of all--children who were involved in his creations. When the Richmond Cerebral Palsy Center closed, he just walked across the parking lot to Children's Hospital and continued his volunteering there. As his friend, I laughed at the stories of the successes and disasters he encountered in coordinating his efforts with many, many different kinds of people. He matched wits with the medical personnel who challenged him with devising novel concepts for new designs. Joe respected any person who clearly communicated what they wanted the item to do for the child and how the child would, hopefully, become more independent by using the customized equipment.
Joe not only shaped wood, heavy plastics and metal--he shaped the lives of his friends as well. I recall one Sunday brunch when I was scurrying around the kitchen and trying to get everything heated and placed on the buffet table at the same time. Joe walked over to me at the stove and quietly said, "Remember to smile." One time I delivered my 11 year old son to a home nearby the Paxson's in order for him to make some money doing yard work. Neal called me a little later to tell me that I had taken him to the wrong house and could I come get him. The second I hung up with Neal I called Joe, gave him the address, and asked him to wait with Neal until I could get there. A few weeks later Joe gently told me that I was being a little too protective and Neal would have been just fine waiting for me by himself. I understood that Joe didn't mind being called or hanging out with my son; he just wanted me to know that my little boy wasn't so little, and especially not so needy, anymore.
In the years when Kathryn and Lauren were little and sometimes had to stay home sick, Joe and Lois often went over at Becky's house all day so Becky could go to work. Joe and Lois put Becky and the girls first and were involved in their lives. They modeled for me how I want to be if I'm ever a grandmother. They had so much fun being grandparents. I got a glimpse of this when they would bring gifts to my kids for birthdays. I remember watching Joe almost fall over laughing when my son opened one present from them--a fireman's hat with the loudest alarm you ever heard. One year they gave my daughter a shrill xylophone which made us all startle each time she played it.
I don't think Joe is making any adaptive equipment now because I don't think there's any demand for it in heaven. Some of those children he helped over the years left this world before him; maybe they were on hand last Sunday night to greet him. I imagine that now Joe and those kids are taking nice, long walks together, amazed at the wonder they could never see before. If we could hear Joe talking to us, I bet we would hear him say, "Come join me."
His daughter gave me permission to put this piece on the blog. I hope you'll enjoy this recollection of Joe, who spent so many years making adaptive equipment for kids:
When Joe retired from his steel manufacturing company I figured he would spend more time on his hobbies, like making stained glass windows and learning more about his computer. He discovered that the Richmond Cerebral Palsy Center was on the lookout for a unique type of volunteer and this began Joe's twenty years of skilled service to kids in our area who needed customized, adaptive equipment.As an experienced structural engineer, Joe knew how to build adaptive equipment for children; equipment that was sturdy and versatile, but also lightweight and easy to transport. His hands were gnarled from the injuries he received during the Battle of the Bulge in WWII, so he understood that equipment which was easy to adjust and lift had a greater chance of really being utilized in a busy classroom or home. When Lois (his wife) was still tole painting, she often added small designs to the finished chairs or seat inserts, a signal to the children and their families that this was no ordinary, commercial piece of equipment but one which had been created with care by a master craftsman.
Joe enjoyed working with all the OTs, PTs, Speech-Language Pathologists, teachers, parents and--most of all--children who were involved in his creations. When the Richmond Cerebral Palsy Center closed, he just walked across the parking lot to Children's Hospital and continued his volunteering there. As his friend, I laughed at the stories of the successes and disasters he encountered in coordinating his efforts with many, many different kinds of people. He matched wits with the medical personnel who challenged him with devising novel concepts for new designs. Joe respected any person who clearly communicated what they wanted the item to do for the child and how the child would, hopefully, become more independent by using the customized equipment.
Joe not only shaped wood, heavy plastics and metal--he shaped the lives of his friends as well. I recall one Sunday brunch when I was scurrying around the kitchen and trying to get everything heated and placed on the buffet table at the same time. Joe walked over to me at the stove and quietly said, "Remember to smile." One time I delivered my 11 year old son to a home nearby the Paxson's in order for him to make some money doing yard work. Neal called me a little later to tell me that I had taken him to the wrong house and could I come get him. The second I hung up with Neal I called Joe, gave him the address, and asked him to wait with Neal until I could get there. A few weeks later Joe gently told me that I was being a little too protective and Neal would have been just fine waiting for me by himself. I understood that Joe didn't mind being called or hanging out with my son; he just wanted me to know that my little boy wasn't so little, and especially not so needy, anymore.
In the years when Kathryn and Lauren were little and sometimes had to stay home sick, Joe and Lois often went over at Becky's house all day so Becky could go to work. Joe and Lois put Becky and the girls first and were involved in their lives. They modeled for me how I want to be if I'm ever a grandmother. They had so much fun being grandparents. I got a glimpse of this when they would bring gifts to my kids for birthdays. I remember watching Joe almost fall over laughing when my son opened one present from them--a fireman's hat with the loudest alarm you ever heard. One year they gave my daughter a shrill xylophone which made us all startle each time she played it.
I don't think Joe is making any adaptive equipment now because I don't think there's any demand for it in heaven. Some of those children he helped over the years left this world before him; maybe they were on hand last Sunday night to greet him. I imagine that now Joe and those kids are taking nice, long walks together, amazed at the wonder they could never see before. If we could hear Joe talking to us, I bet we would hear him say, "Come join me."
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Quick Tips for the DANA
Quick Tips for Using Word Processors with Students Who are a little Distractible.
If you're using an AlphaSmart DANA with a student, and the student just loves to explore all those interesting little icons, edit the categories of the icons and use the "Main" category for just the few programs, like AlphaWord, that the student will be using on a regular basis.
Then, select the Main category for the starting screen and hope like crazy that the student never figures out how to change the category to another, like "All."
Look in the User Manual for more specific directions.
Be sure to show the student how they can use the directional arrows and Enter key, in place of the little stylus, for selecting many options.
You did delete the games from the DANA, didn't you?
If you're using an AlphaSmart DANA with a student, and the student just loves to explore all those interesting little icons, edit the categories of the icons and use the "Main" category for just the few programs, like AlphaWord, that the student will be using on a regular basis.
Then, select the Main category for the starting screen and hope like crazy that the student never figures out how to change the category to another, like "All."
Look in the User Manual for more specific directions.
Be sure to show the student how they can use the directional arrows and Enter key, in place of the little stylus, for selecting many options.
You did delete the games from the DANA, didn't you?
Friday, December 18, 2009
Holiday Finger Frolic
One of our OTs, Heather Galligan, created this great handout for fun stuff to do over the holiday break--check out the Snowman Food idea at the very end of the post. Feel free to pass along the ideas to your students' families, or use them for finger frolic with your own PCs (personal children).
Holiday Activities for Fine Motor Skills
Here are some suggestions for things to do over the holiday break that can help to build fine motor skills and using 2 hands together…….
-Cut out pictures from old Christmas cards – You can draw a circle around the picture to help. They do not need to be exact, just the practice of cutting is good. Use child sized scissors and supervise your child while they practice cutting. With the cut out, they can paste it onto paper to make a new card. Or, instead of gluing, use a hole punch to punch holes around the cut out shape and have them lace around with ribbon for hanging. You can leave the ribbon long at the ends and use it as a book mark.
- Mixing Salt Dough with hands or making cookie dough and using rolling pin and cookie cutters. If you bake salt dough that you have cut from cookie cutters, or that they have shaped, use a straw to punch a hole in the top before baking them. After baking, if you have a set of water color box paints (the simple ones, Crayola or so), use them to paint the ornaments. The colors come out nicely. Decorate further with glitter glue and thread pipe cleaner or ribbon through the hole for a hanger.
Making Salt Dough – This can feel dry on the hands and some kids may not like that but some may be fine with it.
Recipe:
-2 cups of flour
-1 cup salt
-1cup water
They can mix it with their hands until it forms a dough. You add a little water at a time. Knead the dough for 7-10 minutes. Additional water may be needed but not too much or it becomes too sticky. If preparing ahead of time, you can add color to the dough. Store in plastic bags. This dough can be baked or air dried to later be painted. Cookie cutters, rolling pins, a straw to punch a hole and some paint and glitter glue can make some lovely holiday ornaments. Just string ribbon through the hole.
To Harden: Air dry for 48 hours on a screen so air can pass underneath as well.
***Or Bake: 325-350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes for each ¼ inch thickness. Parchment paper works nicely to line cookie sheets.
-Make paper snow flakes: Fold the paper in ½ or 4 ways and draw little guides for them to snip. Triangles are easy, just two lines like a teepee. Decorate the snowflakes with glitter and glue.
-Make a large Holiday Tree - Make a large triangle (about 8 inches for lines). We use our pizza boxes or cardboard boxes from the store to make the tracer. The paper can be the back of wrapping paper or tape smaller pieces together to make a large piece. Help them trace 3 triangles, one on top of the other to make a holiday tree. Tape this to a suitable washable vertical surface, such as the refrigerator, to have them color or paint with washable markers. Also fun is to have them use small pieces of sponge that they have to hold with their thumb and index and middle fingers to sponge paint the tree. Once this is dry, they can put stickers or any other decoration on the tree with tape. Endless ideas.
**Remember, any drawing or coloring on the vertical surface such as with the refrigerator or easel, will help improve wrist and shoulder strength which helps with pre-writing and writing skills.
- Snowman Food – Have them tear any white piece of scrap paper you have in to about 2 X 2 pieces. No need to be exact. Show them how to crumple it up using their finger tips. This is very challenging for some children. Just keep it fun. Keep making them until you can fill up a paper lunch bag or other handy container. To top it off, you can have them sprinkle some glitter or cinnamon in the bag using their finger tips when it is full of little paper balls. Decorate the bag and set it out for Santa to pick up during his travels or just use it when there is a snowman outside! The kids can decorate the paper bag however they wish before it is filled. *** If you happen to have a berry picker or some tongs, the child can practice picking up the paper balls with these to place into the bag! Other wise, hold them in the air, one at a time, for the child to grasp and place into the bag.
-
-
Have a wonderful holiday break !
Holiday Activities for Fine Motor Skills
Here are some suggestions for things to do over the holiday break that can help to build fine motor skills and using 2 hands together…….
-Cut out pictures from old Christmas cards – You can draw a circle around the picture to help. They do not need to be exact, just the practice of cutting is good. Use child sized scissors and supervise your child while they practice cutting. With the cut out, they can paste it onto paper to make a new card. Or, instead of gluing, use a hole punch to punch holes around the cut out shape and have them lace around with ribbon for hanging. You can leave the ribbon long at the ends and use it as a book mark.
- Mixing Salt Dough with hands or making cookie dough and using rolling pin and cookie cutters. If you bake salt dough that you have cut from cookie cutters, or that they have shaped, use a straw to punch a hole in the top before baking them. After baking, if you have a set of water color box paints (the simple ones, Crayola or so), use them to paint the ornaments. The colors come out nicely. Decorate further with glitter glue and thread pipe cleaner or ribbon through the hole for a hanger.
Making Salt Dough – This can feel dry on the hands and some kids may not like that but some may be fine with it.
Recipe:
-2 cups of flour
-1 cup salt
-1cup water
They can mix it with their hands until it forms a dough. You add a little water at a time. Knead the dough for 7-10 minutes. Additional water may be needed but not too much or it becomes too sticky. If preparing ahead of time, you can add color to the dough. Store in plastic bags. This dough can be baked or air dried to later be painted. Cookie cutters, rolling pins, a straw to punch a hole and some paint and glitter glue can make some lovely holiday ornaments. Just string ribbon through the hole.
To Harden: Air dry for 48 hours on a screen so air can pass underneath as well.
***Or Bake: 325-350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes for each ¼ inch thickness. Parchment paper works nicely to line cookie sheets.
-Make paper snow flakes: Fold the paper in ½ or 4 ways and draw little guides for them to snip. Triangles are easy, just two lines like a teepee. Decorate the snowflakes with glitter and glue.
-Make a large Holiday Tree - Make a large triangle (about 8 inches for lines). We use our pizza boxes or cardboard boxes from the store to make the tracer. The paper can be the back of wrapping paper or tape smaller pieces together to make a large piece. Help them trace 3 triangles, one on top of the other to make a holiday tree. Tape this to a suitable washable vertical surface, such as the refrigerator, to have them color or paint with washable markers. Also fun is to have them use small pieces of sponge that they have to hold with their thumb and index and middle fingers to sponge paint the tree. Once this is dry, they can put stickers or any other decoration on the tree with tape. Endless ideas.
**Remember, any drawing or coloring on the vertical surface such as with the refrigerator or easel, will help improve wrist and shoulder strength which helps with pre-writing and writing skills.
- Snowman Food – Have them tear any white piece of scrap paper you have in to about 2 X 2 pieces. No need to be exact. Show them how to crumple it up using their finger tips. This is very challenging for some children. Just keep it fun. Keep making them until you can fill up a paper lunch bag or other handy container. To top it off, you can have them sprinkle some glitter or cinnamon in the bag using their finger tips when it is full of little paper balls. Decorate the bag and set it out for Santa to pick up during his travels or just use it when there is a snowman outside! The kids can decorate the paper bag however they wish before it is filled. *** If you happen to have a berry picker or some tongs, the child can practice picking up the paper balls with these to place into the bag! Other wise, hold them in the air, one at a time, for the child to grasp and place into the bag.
-
-
Have a wonderful holiday break !
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sometimes words are not enough
Lately, I've been adding photos to my observation and evaluation reports, to better provide the families and school staff with a clear explanation of a student's current skills and progress over time. You sure don't want to have to explain hyperextension of the DIP or what thumb wrap entails in 25 words or less.
Having the photos on hand also helps when it comes time to create handouts for parents and school personnel. Remember to edit out faces and names to ensure the privacy of your students.
Here are some recent photos taken in a class for 3-5 year olds--I'll leave the nomenclature to you...
Friday, December 11, 2009
Sparkly fun
Who knew the student artwork would turn out so beautiful? These quilled ornaments were created by middle school students in a classroom for students with moderate intellectual disabilities. Some of them rolled the paper strips easily and some needed a little assistance. The finished product is gorgeous and proudly displayed near the school office.
Here's another idea for a fine motor activity for elementary students--use up that wild holiday paper or magazine cover by having the students dot-dot-dot individual letters, then use a handheld hole punch to forge a see-through trail outlining their letter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)