Homemade or Commercially Available Products for Children with CVI
You can easily use/adapt everyday objects for assessment, intervention strategies, and play. Many of the following items can be found in your local discount stores.
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- Reflective tissue boxes with a different color Mylar® sheet stuffed inside
- Foil metallic or Mylar® pompoms or party blowers Mylar® cat balls
- Wide silver mixing bowl with rubber ball - swirl the ball inside the bowl creating a reflective motion
- Food dye and hair gel in a double zip lock plastic bag placed on a light table or light box
- Roll cat bell toys on light table or light box
- Plastic needlepoint screens on a light table or light box
- Mesh place mats and coasters on a light table or light box
- Bathroom appliqués on a light table or light box
- Roll a plastic egg on a light table or light box. When applicable, place something inside the egg for noise
- Arm band bicycle light attached to bottle
- Identifier disks - attachable by band or adjustable slit for helping to identify items such as spoon, toothbrush, etc. Disks may be reflective to start.
- White box with silver CDs strategically placed on it so the child can see him/herself- can also double as a lap desk
- Dog toy-rolling, flashing light bone CAUTION FOR SEIZURES
- Rope Lights
- Iridescent light chaser
- Lead light wand
- Silver dryer duct tube
- Artificial or real flowers, e.g., sunflowers, daisies, orchids, etc.
- Multi-sensory object(s) with individual controls for sensory stimulators
- Solid color or two color ball with sound
- Wind-up penguin, first flaps wings and then walks
- Cat toy-plastic rat that moves upon being lightly tapped-rat says "na na na na na," available from cat catalogs and discount stores
- Lift-off spinning toy-stays in the air for a while
- Neon tubing strung with cat bell toys
- Bubble blowers
- Spinning top that changes light color as it spins
- Vibrating pen made of translucent colored plastic
- Slow moving wind-up toys
- Florescent bingo daubers
- Giant florescent puff balls
- Florescent foam sun visor
- Three plastic plates (2 one color-1 another color-use child's favorite color or florescent) on a contrasting color tablecloth
- Bright, one color Slinky® (on light table in the beginning, then without light)
- Sheet over mom and baby with red light
- White noise machines w/tapes and/or headphones
- Books and materials with simple faces
- Photo book equipped with recording device, available at Radio Shack
- Books with emphasis on internal details-same character in different poses but with a certain distinguishing characteristics such as a hair bow or baseball cap
- Books that are age appropriate
- Books about body language
- Books that build from one item pictures with add-ons as you go
- Book with tactile clues that fade out as book progresses
- Round vinyl tablecloths in yellow, red, or black to provide an uncluttered background creating visual contrast
- Black tri-fold display board to provide an uncluttered background creating visual contrast
- Flome - good for some tactually defensive children
- Toys featuring soft noises for preemies
- Various color combinations can be achieved with the Lauri® Fit-a-Shape Puzzles, starting with one color and building to four colors. One side is textured and the other side is smooth.
- Prism Blocks by Alex® work especially well when dimming the light box a bit. I usually offer several of the same color and then add one of a different color and watch to see if the child reaches for or looks at the 'different' one. It usually works best at a light table where I am able to position the child in an upright supported position with arms on the table, it seems to get that head upright for the four children I have worked with using these. I have also used them on the small light box with a child in side-lying position with good response. —Terri Connolly, Visually Impaired Preschool Services, Louisville, KY
- Many metallic, neon, and brightly colored items can be purchased commercially. Most mail order or online companies require a "unit" purchase in assorted colors. A unit can be any amount from ½ dozen to six dozen. Getting six or twelve different colors of pom poms, glitter plastic twist spinners, or glass mirror ball ornaments may be a great way to check for color preferences.
Check out the following link and type in search words such as "glitter" or "metallic" and see what you can find: www.orientaltrading.com
