Everybody Plays! Adapting And Modifying Toys to Meet The Needs Of Children With Disabilities. Dr. Maggie McGuire ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011

Play is Important! Quality childcare providers dedicate a large portion of daily activities to play. Some children with disabilities may not have the ability to interact and manipulate toys in a meaningful way. By appropriately adapting toys many children with disabilities will be able to engage in meaningful encounters with toys and other play experiences. ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011

Selecting Toys for Children with Specific Disabilities Toys and play materials should be responsive  toys emit sound, movement, or light when activated by the child (multi-sensory) Toys and play materials should be age- appropriate  In general toys and materials that are appropriate for typically developing infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are appropriate for young children with disabilities. ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011

Toys should have multiple method of activation (or one appropriate)  Consider amount of force needed to engage toy Toys should offer an assurance of success  Will toy offer open-ended play? Will toy be frustrating to the child? Toys should be safe and offer stability  Safety should NEVER be compromised, can it be washed? Do small parts create chocking hazards? ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011

Selecting Toys Toys and materials should be adapted to increase engagement and learning  selected to promote learning of important skills Play materials should include naturally occurring objects  such as boxes, kitchen utensils, and packing materials ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011

Inexpensive Materials For Adaptations Stabilization- Carpet squares, suction cups, grip liners, and/or Velcro Extending/Building up- Modeling clay, popsicle sticks, sponge rollers, foam padding, and/or commercial Plasticine Attaching- Links (can be purchased from Discovery Toys or Right Start) snaps-on fabric tape, elastic snaps. Confining- Hula-hoop, box tops, and/or planter bases ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011

Suggested Adaptation for Toys Gross Motor Fine Motor Blocks Art Dramatic play ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011

Gross Motor Adaptation- –Ball and mitt with Velcro –Pedals with blocks and straps –Enlarged targets –Swings with seatbacks –Use of switches to activate toys Helpful Toys –Large balls –bean bags –Wagon –scooter board –ball pit –Tunnel –rocking horse ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011

Fine Motor Adaptation –Stabilization materials –Confinement materials –Pipe cleaners for stringing beads –Ziplock bag for play dough –Magnets –Use of switches to activate toys Helpful Toys –Clothes pins –Sand table and toys –Water table and toys –Puzzles ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011

Blocks Helpful Toys –Bristle blocks –Legos –Large cardboard blocks –Human figures –Cars –trucks Adaptation –Build structures horizontally –Build against the wall –Stabilization materials –Magnet/Stick adaptation for cars –Use of string to make pull toys of cars, trucks, etc. ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011

Art Adaptation –Built-up handles for paint brushes, markers and crayons –Add fragrance or texture to paint –Tape paper vertically on easel –Outline figures with glue Helpful Toys –High-contrast colors –Small scissors –Tear art –Finger paints –Straws –Sandpaper –Easel –Glue sticks ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011

Dramatic Play Adaptation –Velcro closures and large buttons on clothing –Section off dramatic play area –Velcro doll house furniture down –Remove Doll house roof Helpful Toys –Dress up clothes –Props –Mirror –Telephone –Shoes –Purse –Play money –Plastic food ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011

Resources and References: Easy Toy and Game Adaptations from Exceptional Parent Magazine: ( Making a switch Adapted Toy! ( The Toy Doctor’s prescription for Play ( Magnets Make Toys Attractive ( This material was developed as a collaborative project with Dr. Cindy Simpson and Dr. Mark Gaus. ©Dr. Maggie McGuire 2011