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Book and Literacy Adaptations


Single Message Speech Generating Device(SGD)

Single Message Speech Generating Device (SGD)

Children love to "read" along with their favorite stories, especially those that have a predictable line or phrase that repeats throughout the book. A single message voice output device with the repeated line recorded and ready to go allows all children to participate in this important literacy experience.

Sequenced Message SGD

Sequenced Message SGD

Children also enjoy retelling or "reading" along with their favorite stories. A sequenced message voice output device with the story lines recorded and ready to go allows all children to participate in this important literacy experience. With each click of the device the next page is read aloud.
The AbleNet BookWorm provides a simple and friendly way for young students or students with disabilities to "read" their favorite books. Set-Up takes less than 15 minutes. Select a book and clip it on the BookWorm. Adapt the book with the stickers and page detector. Record each page. Plug in a single switch if needed. Peers read the story together. (Some Pre-K SPED classes may have this older device (look in closets). If you have one and would like assistance in setting it up, contact the Pre-K Tech Team.

Picture Boards and Overlays

Picture Boards and Overlays

All students need to be able to participate in the oral language activities of Shared Reading and Phonological Awareness. We feature a HUGE collection of ready-made picture boards and voice output device overlays for lliteracy program books and poster titles we use in our program. These should be used in each and every one of our classrooms!

Language Master

Language Master

Children love to hear their favorite stories over and over. They can do this independently with the Language Master card reader. It is also a good participation tool for reading stories in a small group. MANY of our classrooms have this device (look in closets!) and a limited number are available to Pre-K SPED teachers upon request and/or with a student ATIP.

Switch Enabled Online Stories

Switch Enabled Online Stories

The computer is a great tool for learning for all students but it can be an essential tool for independent reading for a child with a physical disability. Many online story site feature stories that are accessible with a switch and switch interface - in fact, ANY story that can be "read" or listened to with a mouse click is accessible with a switch and switch interface. Children can turn pages with a simple click of the switch. The Pre-K SPED Tech Team can help you set up the switch and switch interface. Below you will find some websites with switch accessible stories:
** some sites/activities may require positioning the computer mouse over the page turning icon on the screen **

Object/Tactile Books

Object/Tactile Books

For children at a sensory level of development, books can take a more concrete form. Objects can be glued onto pages or tucked inside plastic baggies on each page.

Tactile books are created by adding textures, such as fur, sandpaper, foam, beads, foil, fabric, etc., to pages of a story book with hot glue. Developmentally young children and children with visual impairments benefit from this adaptation.

Adapted Page Turners

Adapted Page Turners

For a simple, "no tech" way to adapt books for easier page turning, get a board book and a hot glue gun. Put a large drop of hot glue in the upper right corner of the right hand pages. Be sure to let each cool before turning to the next page. This technique keeps the pages separated just enough to let little hands get in between the pages and manipulate them better.

Page fluffers are along the same idea but are for paper paged books. Clip a small square of foam, thick cardboard or kitchen scrubber and paperclip it to the upper right hand corner of the right hand pages.

Ponytail holders (pick the fatter kind)make lifting flaps in flap books or pop-up books a little easier. Just attach them to the flaps with hot glue.

Stabilization of Books

Stabilization of Books

A piece of Dycem, a flat, non-slip plastic, can grip a book on the surface to leave little hands free to turn the pages and explore.

Velcro on the outside covers of a book can also be used to fasten it down to a surface or to a square of indoor/outdoor carpet (available at home improvements stores or from the PRE-K SPED Tech Team). Pair this with some hot glue dots (see below) to make page turning easier and many children with physical limitations can interact independently with books.

Bookstands are available commercially or can be made out of PVC, like the one pictured above.

The Adaptation Station

is a compilation of materials, strategies, and assistive technology devices that are recommended for use with young children with disabilities.  We thank our teachers and staff for sharing their expertise and ideas to make this compilation of ideas so rich.

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