Gaining independence one toy at a time
USI occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students show the toys they adapted for students in the Warrick County School Corporation.
When students with special needs in the Warrick County School Corporation return from their holiday break, they'll have new adaptive toys headed their way, courtesy of occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students at USI.
The OT and OTA students, under the direction of Dr. Karen Dishman, assistant professor of occupational therapy, and Dr. Jessica Mason, assistant professor of occupational therapy and academic fieldwork coordinator, rewired around 50 toys to make them easier to operate. Now, the stuffed animals and bubble machines can be activated with the push of a large button, 3D printed in the Assistive Technology Lab at the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, allowing students to play with more independence.
Last year USI students adapted toys for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation.