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With a small amount of education and support, families with adequate incomes can learn to select and purchase special or adapted toys and devices.
These families may readily acquire the skills necessary very quickly and need less ongoing support than others. Parents with limited incomes, however, may have little or no access to adapted toys or devices. Acquisition
of new skills may not come easily. In addition, access to services must be at no cost for these low income families. Toy Tech is designed to provide the level of support and assistance needed given a family's unique
situation, and the individualized support it gives is needed primarily to promote positive family relationships and bonding for all families who may need it. The UCP Toy Tech
is administered by a Toy Tech Leader with a bachelor's degree, nine years experience working with disabled children and individuals, and specialized training as a Toy Tech Leader. Toy Tech begins with an
initial consultation and assessment between the family and a trained Toy Tech Leader, who selects appropriate toys or computer programs, demonstrates how to capture the children's attention and engages the child in meaningful
interaction. Data are logged and the Leader evaluates the child's interaction. When appropriate, toy selection is coordinated with physical therapy activities. Parents observe the process until they feel competent
to participate and continue the activities at home. At the end of each session, parents may take home five adaptive toys to use during the month. This allows parents, siblings and friends to learn how to play with
the child and to understand that the child can be a functioning part of the family and community. The child's progress is evaluated during the monthly session with the Toy Tech Leader and through a survey completed annually
by the parent. The process of evaluation, selection and demonstration of more appropriate toys, and lending toys to parents is repeated. Target Population. Approximately
700,000 Americans manifest some form of cerebral palsy, one-third of whom are under the age of 21 years. In the greater Houston area, more than 10,000 individuals have cerebral palsy, with an estimated 300 new cases diagnosed
locally each year. The United Cerebral Palsy Toy Tech is open to children with development disabilities through age seven in the Houston area.
This is one of the few programs available to children with developmental disabilities over the age of three years in Houston. Currently, the UCP Toy Tech serves 42 disabled children and their families, with
0 children and their families on a waiting list to enter this program. At this time, Toy Tech is only open thirty hours each week, and United Cerebral Palsy needs to expand the program to meet the need and waiting list for
admission. It is the only program of its kind in the Houston area. Program Goals. The UCP Toy Tech has the following program goals:
- to allow disabled children to have positive learning and play experiences;
- to strengthen each child's academic, social and communication skills;
- to educate parents on the use of conventional and adapted toys;
- to nurture positive play relationships between children with developmental disabilities, their families and others;
- to provide community resources for parents and professionals not otherwise available.
UCP of Greater Houston, Inc. must raise funds to underwrite the ongoing Toy Tech program for program expansion. It is planned that Toy Tech will again be expanded and that this expanded program will
be ongoing at UCP. |
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