ATSU-ASHS OT department spreads festive cheer with switch-adapted toy giveaway
Posted: December 5, 2023
A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences’ (ATSU-ASHS) Occupational Therapy (OT) department hosted its second annual holiday switch-adapted toy giveaway on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, where OT students and faculty helped spread the holiday spirit to children with disabilities.
Organized by Briana Bonner, OTD, OTR/L, assistant professor and academic fieldwork coordinator, this switch-adapted toy giveaway is not only a festive, fun-filled time for each child who receives a toy, but it also provides OT students with a joyful and unique learning experience.
The week before the giveaway, OT students worked with the Arizona Assistive Technology Access Program (AzTAP) during an interactive lab to switch-adapt dozens of different toys for children with disabilities. AzTAP assists people living with disabilities and their families through training, educational programs, providing access to assistive technology, and more.
For many children with disabilities, toys with electrical components can be difficult to use, due to a lack of fine motor control. By switch-adapting these toys, children can more easily interact with their toys by providing them with a larger button to press.
On the day of the giveaway, students helped teach each child how to use the toy after they had the opportunity to visit with Santa.
Check out more photos below!
