Publication Date

2020

Abstract

Children learn from interactions with peers and through independent play. Children with significant disabilities often struggle to engage in play and require the use of adapted toys. The purpose of this research was to explore occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) student perceptions of a service-learning activity of adapting toys to be switch accessible. A total of 50 toys were switch adapted by the students and distributed to the local community. Student perception of interest included overall learning, views on service-learning, and the importance of volunteering in the community. Survey results indicate that most students believed this project helped them to become more aware of an individual’s needs and how to make a difference in their community. The OT and OTA students also reported this activity reinforced problem-solving skills and classroom coursework. Learning how to adapt battery operated items is an important skill for OT and OTA students to develop prior to professional practice. Skills learned from adapting items can be used to assist clients of all ages in all practice settings.

Author Biography

Dr. Jessica Mason is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern Indiana. She graduated with her Master of Science in Occupational therapy in 2006 and Occupational Therapy Doctorate in 2017. She has been teaching in occupational therapy education since 2014. Her clinical expertise includes inpatient rehabilitation and school-based practice.

Dr. Karen Dishman is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern Indiana. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in 1999 and Occupational Therapy Doctorate in 2018. She has been teaching in occupational therapy education since 2018. Her clinical expertise includes school-based practice. She received certification as an Assistive Technology Professional in 2013.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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Service-Learning: Everyone Deserves to Play!

Children learn from interactions with peers and through independent play. Children with significant disabilities often struggle to engage in play and require the use of adapted toys. The purpose of this research was to explore occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) student perceptions of a service-learning activity of adapting toys to be switch accessible. A total of 50 toys were switch adapted by the students and distributed to the local community. Student perception of interest included overall learning, views on service-learning, and the importance of volunteering in the community. Survey results indicate that most students believed this project helped them to become more aware of an individual’s needs and how to make a difference in their community. The OT and OTA students also reported this activity reinforced problem-solving skills and classroom coursework. Learning how to adapt battery operated items is an important skill for OT and OTA students to develop prior to professional practice. Skills learned from adapting items can be used to assist clients of all ages in all practice settings.