Elizabeth A Kurtz - Simple Low-Cost Games and Activities for Sensorimotor Learning: A Sourcebook of Ideas for Young Children Including Those with Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Other Learning Differences

Appendix A

REFERENCE GUIDE FOR SELECTION OF ACTIVITIES

Use this guide to identify which activities might be especially helpful for a particular child. Identify one or more areas of weakness for the child, then scroll down each column to select appropriate activities.

P = Primary focus of activity

S = Secondary focus of activity

A = Adaptations possible to address this skill

? = Typically addresses this skill, but each child reacts differently

Appendix B

INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOMEMADE SUPPLIES

EQUIPMENT

T-STOOL

Materials

20cm (8 ") square of plywood, 2cm ( ") thick.

8cm (3 ") plywood square, 2cm ( ") thick.

Wooden dowel, 2.5cm (1 ") diameter by 20cm (8 ") long.

Eight 2.5cm (1 ") nails.

One 3.8cm (1 ") screw.

One rubber crutch tip (available at pharmacies or medical supply stores).

Directions

Sand the edges of the two wood squares to prevent splinters.

Insert screw through the middle of the 8cm (3 ") plywood square into the dowel.

Place the larger plywood square over the center of the smaller square and secure using nails.

Place the rubber crutch tip over the bottom of the dowel.

F IGURE B.1

ZOOM TUBE

Materials

Empty toilet tissue roll.

Contact paper.

Markers, colored tape, stickers as desired.

Two lengths of cord (slippery is better), each approximately 2.7m to 3m (9 to 10 feet) long.

Directions

Tie loops onto both ends of the two cords to form handles.

Cover the toilet tissue roll with contact paper, folding excess length over the ends of the tube (this makes the tube stronger and more slippery).

Decorate the tube as desired.

Insert one end of each cord into the tube.

To use, two partners face each other, each holding one set of the handles with the zoom tube in the middle of the cords. Each partner steps back until the cords are taut. One partner brings her arms together, while the other partner brings her arms apart. This makes the tube zoom to the partner whose arms are together. By keeping the cords taut and carefully timing the opening and closing of arms, the tube will race back and forth between partners.

F IGURE B.2

SCOOPING CUPS

Materials

Two large, clean, empty plastic bottles (such as those used to hold bleach, milk, or laundry detergent).

Colored tape (plastic or duct tape).

Lightweight object for throwing and catching (small beanbag, koosh ball, or crumpled wad of paper).

Directions

Cut off the bottoms of both bottles.

Cover the cut edges with tape to make sure they are smooth.

To use, place a beanbag or other object inside one bottle to use for toss and catch games.

F I GURE B.3

WINDMAKERS

Materials

Assorted, empty squeeze bottles (for example, ketchup or mustard squeeze bottles, infant nasal aspirator, or empty nasal spray bottle).

Permanent markers for decorating bottles.

Cotton balls, small pompoms, or small pieces of tissue paper.

Directions

Remove any labels from the bottles, then clean and dry well.

Use markers to make faces on the bottles, with the nozzle serving as the nose.

To use, squeeze the bottle so that the cotton ball or tissue moves.

F IGURE B.4

SECRET ENVELOPES

Materials

Assorted empty envelopes (used ones are fine).

Wide-tip markers, or masking tape.

Small prizes for the envelopes (stickers, secret messages, or a small edible treat).

Scissors.

Something to use as a tactile launch pad (for example, computer mouse pad, folded washcloth, sponge, or drink coaster).

Directions

Place the prize inside the envelope at one end.

Seal the envelope (use tape if recycling a used envelope).

At the end of the envelope opposite to where the prize is hidden, create a path for the child to cut, using either the marker or tape (for more tactile input).

Use the launch pad for the child to rest her hand on during cutting, teaching that the pinky side of the hand stays down towards the table, and the thumb side of the hand points to the ceiling.

F IGURE B.5

TAP THE BALL

Materials

Lightweight plastic ball with holes (for example, Wiffle ball).

String.

Wooden dowel or empty cardboard tube, approximately 45cm to 60cm (18 " to 24 " ) long.

Colored tape or markers.

Directions

Tie the string to the ball, and suspend from a tree branch or door still so that it is at the childs eye level.

Use the tape or markers to create three lines around the dowel or tube, with one color forming a ring around the center, and two other colors forming rings approximately 15cm (6 ") from the ends of the dowel or tube.

Holding the dowel at each end, the child faces the hanging ball and practices various tapping patterns while keeping the balls movement steady and well controlled.

F IGURE B.6

MUNCHER MAN

Materials

Tennis ball.

Sharp razor knife.

Permanent markers.

Small objects to feed the muncher man.

Directions

Carefully slice a 6cm to 8cm (2 " to 3 " ) line along the seam that separates the fuzzy parts of the ballthis becomes the munchers mouth.

Use a red marker to color in lips around the cut, and other markers to add other facial features.

The child holds the muncher man in her palm, positioned so that the thumb is at one end of the cut and the other fingers are at the other end of the cut. By squeezing at these points, the muncher mans mouth will open and close.