Overview
In this presentation, we will describe the process of working towards providing children with significant motor deficits with the ability to interact with play, access the curriculum and control the environment around them. This will start with reviewing how toys can help determine appropriate switch placement. We will explore alternative methods to work on skills using games and technology. We will describe methods to evaluate access skills. We will discuss how to find motivating activities to shift from play to productivity. By the end, participants should have a better understanding of the progression from toy to independence.
Learning Objectives
- Identify one or more alternative tools and activities to facilitate learning switch access.
- Identify one or more ways to implement the use of computer based activities that develop switch access skills.
- Describe one or more evaluation methods to assess progress with switch access skills.
Primary & Secondary Strand
AT for Physical Access and Participation
Target Audience
- AT Specialists
- Caregivers
- Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities
- Family Members
- Occupational Therapists
- Rehab Therapists
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Special Education Educators
Experience Level
Introductory
Primary Life Cycle Addressed
All
Session Delivery Format
In-person presentation with recording
Course Schedule
This course was given at the ATIA 2023 Conference on Thursday, February 2 from 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM (EST)
Continuing Education Credits
For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Learning Center CEUs
This course is also offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; CRC; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours.
ASHA CE Information:
Recorded Session
Start date of ASHA CEUs offering: January 12, 2024
End date of current CRC CEUs offering: March 19, 2025
Please refer to the CRC AT for Physical Access and Participation Series (2024-2025) page for further information on how to submit your CRC CEUs for this course to CRCC.
Speaker/s:
Christopher Marotta, OTR/L
Henry Viscardi School, Staff Occupational Therapist
Biography
Christopher is an occupational therapist who provides services to students with physical disabilities at the Henry Viscardi School in Albertson, NY. He has worked as an OT for 20 years in a variety of settings, but his passion is assistive technology and enabling his students to be successful in and out of the classroom. Chris is an avid tinkerer, enjoying designing and fabricating adaptive devices. He shares his knowledge with others by lecturing occupational therapy students as an adjunct faculty member at Stony Brook University and Touro University. He currently is a member of the NYC chapter of Makers Making Change, where his goal is to teach others the skills of adaptation along with increasing awareness of disabilities.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from employer.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Chris is a volunteer member of the New York City Chapter of Makers Making Change.
Loreto Dumitrescu, OTR/L, ATP
Zero Day Camp, Occupational Therapist
Biography
Loreto Dumitrescu is an occupational therapist working for the New York City Department of Education for 20 years providing both direct service and AT evaluations and previously provided early intervention services. Loreto received an MA in Educational Technology from Adelphi University. She co-founded Zero Day Camp, a non-profit on a mission to bring computer science and media literacy to youth and educators throughout New York City. Currently, she is a volunteer co-chapter leader for the NYC chapter of Makers Making Change.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Loreto currently receives an annual salary from the NYC Department of Education. She also receives a salary from her adjunct teaching position at Adelphi University.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Loreto is a volunteer co-chapter leader for the New York City Chapter of Makers Making Change. She is also a current member of RESNA.