be difficulties with Bluetooth pairing and connection. Some ex- amples of Bluetooth switch interfaces are the Ablenet Blue2 FT and the Pretorian APPlicator. DEVELOPING SWITCH SKILLS There are a variety of options for switch activities both free and paid, web-based, apps, and software. There are fewer op- tions for programs that provide switch skill development that supports individuals through emergent switch skills such as cause & effect to errorless choice making. For individuals requir- ing alternative switch access, building motor patterns for switch skills through games and activities establishes the foundational abilities needed to later use switches for accessing advanced ac- ademic content and communication tools. SEN Switcher is a free download for developing switch skills, and is available for download on Windows operating systems. Activities range from single switch experiential shapes and pat- terns, to timing, to multiple single switch activations, targeted, and finally errorless choice making. On the website there is a short video that explains SEN Switcher. In addition, SEN teach- er provides access to SEN Switcher online without needing to download. SEN teacher states that the original flash version is converted to a modern format on the fly.
tivities. Specifically, the games & activities provide accessible game-based learning that supports access methods including mouse, switch, eye gaze and touch. The Learning progression and outcomes guidebook provides an overview of all the ac- tivities and what skills they target for developing switch skills. HelpKidzLearn uses the switch progression roadmap that out- lines stages of switch skill development from cause & effect to advanced switch skills such as choice making.
In addition, HelpKidzLearn has a ‘My Switch Journey’ free guidebook for tracking and supporting individual students’ switch skill development. This resource is intended for individu- al student customization for progress and data tracking, obser- vations and comments. It also has a breakdown of the various switch skill progression and outlines what activities support each skill (See image 7, next page). Steps Before Step Scanning for Mind Express 5 is a set of ready- made activities and allows the creation of individual student ac- tivities. It is available to purchase for use with Mind Express 5. All activities are based on the ‘Stepping Stones to Switch Access’ by Linda J. Burkhart. Some of the activities were previously avail- able for IntelliTools Classroom Suite. There is no timing in any of the activities purposely to support an individual’s ability to more easily process the motor and cognitive information to form new neurological connections. It is available only on Windows oper- ating systems. Step Scanning: Eight Lessons to Get There app by Judy Lynn is available to purchase on the app store. It is designed to sup- port users from single switch cause & effect to advanced switch skill progression based on Two Switches to Sucess by Linda J. Burkhart. There are various activities grouped into the following lessons: Lesson 1 - Single Switch Cause & Effect (A pre-requisite) Image 6 : Graph from Learning Progression and Outcomes guidebook depicting milestones that include the various types of activities available and learning objectives for switch skill development.
Image 5: Screenshot of SEN Switcher.
Also available from SENict website from Ian Bean, are ad- ditional free activities that are categorized by access method (switch, touch, pointing devices, eye gaze). The activities are all switch accessible and there is a specific category for two switch skills to support choosing and scanning for individuals work- ing beyond cause & effect switch use. All of these activities are only compatible as downloads for PC computer running Win- dows operating systems. On the website there are companion resource documents including switch advice, switch levels and switch roadmap by Inclusive TLC. HelpKidzLearn provides a variety of accessible learning ac-
Lesson 2 - Cause & Effect with Two Switches Lesson 3 - Interaction between Two Switches
Lesson 4 - Step & Select Introduced Lesson 5 - Errorless Step Scanning
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