Inclusive play with the functionalhand®
Fun, flexible and functional is our tagline. The functionalhand® can be used for a variety of purposes. It allows individuals to complete many activities of daily living including grooming, cooking, gardening and so much more. Allowing individuals of all ages to have “fun” and bring enjoyment is where the concept originated. Let’s look at how we can adapt games to support participation in recreational activities! The goal is to support independence during play. Your child wants to complete as much of the activity as possible with a simple set up. We used: Eazyhold, painter’s tape, Velcro, dycem, D-ring, visuals.
For the individual who lacks fine motor precision, the functionalhand® can provide isolated finger control to access.
cards, place sticky back loop Velcro. For the individual that can’t pick up cards from the table, the problem is solved!
- The Classic Mr. Mouth Frog Game
There are many ways to adapt this classic game which reduces the motor control needed but it remains a lot of fun! Stabilize pieces by taping them to the surface. Place a dowel rod or cylindrical object in the functionalhand®. It provides the isolated control needed to play the game. Enlarge the target by using a bowl to support success!
The Classic Mr. Mouth Feed Frog Game
- Memory Games or any card type activity
Take a cylindrical container such as an empty M & M container or bottle. Using sticky back hook Velcro, place it on one end of the container. On the back of the cards, place sticky back loop Velcro. For the individual that can’t pick up cards from the table, the problem is solved!
- Wordle, suduko or many other games on your phone!
Place a stylus in your functionalhand® and enjoy!
- Guess who
For the individual who is non-verbal and lacks motor control, a few modifications may help. Make and laminate a choice board that allows pointing to and marking off choices. Place a marker in the functionalhand®. You can make choices, keep track of selections and knock down your teammates’ guess. Hopefully you win!
- Twister
Join in on the fun even if you can’t get on the floor to play. Use a dowel rod, stylus or any cylindrical object in your functionalhand®. Be in charge of what everyone has to do! This will work with any game that uses a spinner!
- Musical toys and activities to work on isolated index finger movement and accurate arm placement.
Here we used a pipe cleaner and wrapped it around the musical component of the toy. A D-ring was placed at the end of the pipe cleaner. The goal is to isolate your index finger and pull to play the music. Using a dowel rod or similar shape in the functionalhand®, you can work on accurate shoulder and hand movement to get the dowel in to activate the toy!
What’s your favorite activity with the functionalhand®? How do you make games inclusive? Please share and remember to post your pictures on our Instagram or facebook pages @functionalhand or email to lmerry@thera-solutions.com and we’ll post them for everyone to see. Let’s share!
What’s your favorite activity with the functionalhand®? How do you make games inclusive? Please share and remember to post your pictures on our Instagram or facebook pages @functionalhand or email to lmerry@thera-solutions.com and we’ll post them for everyone to see. Let’s share!
