|
Answer:
Some things to think about BEFORE you go out and buy
extra hardware… IF the student is physically able to manipulate a mouse
THEN working on learning that moving the mouse represents moving
the cursor is the best place to start. If you spend time teaching that
skill then the student can use any computer anywhere. Here are some
strategies for teaching a child to use a mouse:
1. Put the mouse on an incline board directly
in front of the monitor so movement up is truly movement up
of the cursor and the mouse and monitor are in the same visual
plane.
|
2. Use a cursor enlargement utility so the kid
has something bigger and more fun to look for than that little
arrow. The BIGGY cursor enlargement software from RJ Cooper
has lots of choices - http://www.rjcooper.com/biggy/index.html
|
3. Use good, interactive, interesting software
to teach skills. Don't worry about the academic value that's
not the point. I love Reader Rabbit Toddler for teaching mouse
skills because it requires no clicking. Teach mouse movement
first! DON'T teach clicking first or you'll get false clicks
everywhere. There are some great shareware/freeware mouse programs
out there go to http://www.talkingwithpictures.com/links.html
to check out a few.
|
4. On a two button mouse, jam a piece of cardboard
under the right click button to keep the child from right clicking.
Cheap way to adapt!
|
5. Use a laser pointer to point to the cursor
if the child has trouble finding it or focusing on the cursor.
|
6. Find or create programs that are motivating
to the child. I use Intellipics, www.intellitools.com to put
his/her favorite songs with pictures in a file. Nothing like
moving the arrow over a fun picture and having Barney sing!!
|
|
Adapted from Ann T. Leverette,
M.Ed
|
IF the child is very young or not developmentally able
to understand representation THEN you might use a TouchWindow http://www.riverdeep.net/products/special_needs/touch_window.jhtml
TouchWindow can be good for the very young child who is not yet able
to understand that the mouse represents the cursor on the computer screen.
I don't like to use the TouchWindow if it is not absolutely necessary.
I find Touch Window to be somewhat inaccurate, fragile, and the student
gets used to touching screens (duh..) It doesn't allow for increasing
computer skills or access to more complicated software as the child
develops. The exception is, of course, the very young child who developmentally
is not ready for representation or a profoundly involved student who
doesn't understand representation.
Remember: The LEAST amount of assistive technology it takes to
accomplish the task is BEST! Here are resources if your students need
an adapted mouse, trackball, touchpad, or any other computer-based pointing
device.
Go to Ability Hub to see and read about a variety of mouse alternatives
http://www.abilityhub.com/mouse/index.htm
This is a Switch Adapted Mouse available at http://www.gusinc.com/mouse.html
To make your own switch-adapted mouse click on this link: http://aacintervention.com/tipofthemonthone.htm#Dec
then click on Gretchen Hanser's Adapted Mouse pdf file to see or download
the directions.
To purchase a Switch Adapted Trackball or a Switch Adapted Joystick
made by RJ Cooper go to http://www.rjcooper.com/sam-trackball/index.html
Switch Adapted Trackball
A totally commercial and very useful site for ordering alternative input
devices is http://www.infogrip.com
click on the tab marked "Pointing" to see an incredible selection of
pointing devices.
 Kids
Trackball
At http://www.ataccess.org/resources/atabook/s02/s02-03l.html
you will find information about Trackballs when to use them and
where to purchase them. This site is the Alliance for Technology Access
and you can order their excellent book,
Computer and Web Resources for People with Disabilities.
|
Discussion
Home Page