On Tuesday, August 11th, Therapro hosted another successful webinar, Assistive Technology Tips and Tools. Our presenter, Abbie King, M.S., CCC-SLP, engaged attendees with a fun activity, How Can You Use a Pool Noodle as Assistive Technology? Viewers provided some great ideas for new and different ways to use a pool noodle in the setting they are working in. Check out some of the ideas below!
Using a Pool Noodle for Physical Access:
- Using on corners of desks/ edges for safety
- Sitting balance for an infant with (decreased) trunk support
- Side supports in a wheelchair
- Holding utensils
- Sliced open – place on the edge of a table or wheelchair tray to create a bumper
- Place as a footrest border
- Place a bungee cord inside and wrap it around the chair as a foot fidget
Using a Pool Noodle as Assistive Technology for Low Vision:
- Put on the edges of desks so students can tell where the desks end, so as not to push items of
- Use as a card holder
- (Raised) border to a book or a slant board,
- Cut into pieces and put different letters on them to make words
- Hang beads to work on far/near focus
- Bright colors can be used on handles
- Prop ipad
- Follow the moving noodle with your eyes in all planes
- Tape together to make a circle, place over the desired object, visual/large core board
- Stabilize cards
- I spy games, looking through a pool noodle, scavenger hunts
Using a Pool Noodle as Assistive Technology for Hearing:
- Talk through for sound
- (Playing) telephone
- Slap them together, hit balls, air wands
- Play drums with pool noodles
- Rubbing it with hands
- Speak into one end and have the child listen to sounds on the other end to increase auditory feedback/sensory awareness
Using a Pool Noodle as Assistive Technology for Behavioral/ Emotional Challenges:
- Sensory tool (fidget) to squeeze, poke with golf tees, or roll a small piece
- Something to squeeze, grasp, or tap on the surface
- As a reward, use it to play balloon volleyball
- Rock right/left while grasping overhead
- Take a turn talking
- Deep breathing
- Wrap around the child to create a “bubble zone” for teaching personal space and reducing anxiety from overstimulation
- Attaching to the chair to kick to increase focus; hand fidget
- Get anger out using a pool noodle to hit something…or make a “feelings fort” out of pool noodles
Other Uses for A Pool Noodle:
- Theraband on the chair
- Play as an obstacle course
- Use for positioning
- Boundaries on a table for a remote or switch-controlled doodle bug or car
- Having a sword fight
- Pencil grips