Day Five

Dollar Store adventure.....

Our assignment was to visit a local Dollar Store and think about 20 items found in the store from an AT – low-tech AAC perspective. We were also to consider the following: who the item would be good for and how would they use it.

At first I found this assignment a bit overwhelming; however, I was with an excellent partner which made it a great experience. We were a little slow choosing items at first, I think I was just over thinking the whole thing…. but as we moved down our first aisle, we seemed to be getting the hang of it...and moved along quite nicely.

The items:

Cooking Timer

For students with executive functioning

this could help keep them on task

Sandpaper

Intended use is to rough up smooth surfaces, but for AT we are going to use it to create letters and shapes for a visually impaired student. The student and EA could use this to create a show and tell story board.

Tarp or Willow Extendable Fence

These two items are going to be used to create a “special space” - a place a student is going to call their own. I see them being used to create a safe location for children who need time away from others to process. This individual may have anxiety or autism.

Pool Noodles

We thought there would be several applications for these such as using as buffers for sharp ends in a multi-sensory environment. Or you could use them for those who have numeracy or literacy challenges. For example, cutting them in different lengths for place values.

Flashing Bike Lights and Push Light

A non-verbal or an anxious child could use these to signal they would like the teacher’s attention or answer questions with signals representing “Yes” or “No” 

                       

Garden Pick-Up Tool and Kitchen Tongs

These items can be used by any individual (student or elderly) who doesn’t have the physical mobility to reach. They could aid in reaching for items.

Fashion Hair Elastics

These can be used as an aid for zippers
for physically challenged individuals.

Another use is as an aid with
helping a student who suffers from 

distractibility or inattention or frigidity behaviours.                      

Duster Mop

Physically challenged individuals

could use this as a aid 

to participate in an art class,

 or helping with clean-up. 

Patio Chair Cover
This would be for a student
who has a physical disability
and is in a wheelchair. The student
could use this to participate in an art class.

Picnic Set

A visually challenged student could use this as an aid to be able to arrange their lunch or they can use it to learn shapes. Another student who has difficulty organizing may use this to arrange supplies. For example, art supplies.               

Looped Sponge

This could be used as a "stress-relieve ball" to help a student with anxiety or one who is struggling with focus and who maybe fidgeting in the classroom.

Bath Mat

Could provide stability for an elderly person

 who may struggle with stability

 or could be used as a "special seat" for a child

 who has difficulty identifying their own space.

Curtain Clips

For a child who has physical limitations 

these can be used as page holders for books.

 

Flower Pot Frame

Could aid a child with an learning disability. 

This could be used to reinforce

 and assist a student 

to become familiar with classmates’ names 

or places in the school environment.

Foam Stickers

A visually impaired individual could use these as 

“3-D” identifiers for shapes or letters and numbers.

 

Mirror

This could be used to aid a student 

who has difficulty pronouncing words or speech. 

Working with the SLP the student is able to watch 

to see how their mouth is moving.

Paint Cup

This could be used to assist a student 
with physical disabilities.
A way to organize markers, pens, color pencils

and it could be strapped
to the arm of a chair.

Swim Mask

Alternate use could be to help a student

with an emotional and learning disability.
They could use it for play.

This could also be used as an aid 
when washing a student’s hair.

Bonus item found during another trip 

Large Dice

These could be used to assist a student who may have dyspraxia
or another form of fine motor skill development disability