Spring Toys: Sensory Stimulation Helps the Developmentally Disabled

Spring toys help babies develop grasping skills. When they pull it- a spring makes it vibrate for a few seconds, motivating the baby to pull again....and again. These toy provide sensory stimulation without using batteries…. I love them!
Children or adults with developmental disabilities often enjoy objects that vibrate. All of the clients shown in the videos are blind and one is blind and deaf.
Pulling on the spring toy:
1)strengthens the person's hand grip
2) engages the person as they receive proprioceptive sensory stimulation from pulling and the vibration
3) teaches the cause and effect relationship that pulling the toy makes it vibrate
4) Eventually the individual may use the spring toy independently as a recreational activity.
5) Work on receptive language skills such as "pull again" or "do more"

Notice that I varied the set up as I explored how to meet the individual's needs using trial and error. One woman learned quickly how to pull and was happy to use her strength to pull repeatedly. I helped her to maintain her grasp by adapting with an EasyHold universal cuff. https://eazyhold.com

Some clients needed hand-over-hand assistance and repetition to feel for and grasp the object. Some clients did better grasping the soft toy while I pulled the other end. I attached the toy to the lid of a large container so the person can stop to give it a pull during or upon completion of an insertion task. The options are limitless which is why I love occupational therapy!

Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog:
http://www.RecyclingOT.com
http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com
http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com