Switch adapted for the fun of it

Playing on her own terms is not something that Sophie gets to do very often.  We are able to give her choices between items that we choose for her to pick from, but we don't really always know if she wants something different.  When she plays with something we sometimes have to help her play.  I love the concept of Active Learning because it is more on her own terms, playing without help. 

Excited about what has landed on her tray

Checking out her switch

I ordered some battery interrupters in the winter and a few days ago I finally got around to making some of Sophie's toys switch adapted.  One more step on the road to independence for my girl.  When a battery operated toy is switch adapted, Sophie is the one who has the control of that toy.  She makes it go, she makes it stop and she had a great time figuring that out this weekend.

Checking out her horse

Hand on the switch, ready to make it go

I know the more that she is able to use switch adapted toys, not just programs and games on the computer or Ipad, she is going to enjoy all the fun toys that are out there more than if we held it for her and she wasn't a participant in the playing.

Holding her switch and watching the horse walk

Happy with her toy and that she made it go :)

I switch adapted the little horse that neighs and walks across the floor first.  Next I used a dollar store fibre optic light to switch adapt.  Both worked really well and were easy to close the compartments that hold the batteries. It isn't always that easy, sometimes you have to file away the plastic to make everything fit.  It is hard to tell in the photos but there is a wire that goes from the back of the horse which attaches to the plug for the switch. 

 It is possible to make your own battery interrupter, which I will probably do at some point.  There are lots of tutorials on the web, but for now it was nice and easy to order a premade one that I could just use right out of the package.

Lots of opportunity for fun awaits. :)