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How to make a simple pressure switch
Why should people with severe disabilities learn how to
operate a switch?
There are various studies done on this topic but I will only
highlight the most important once for your context. Most of
you are working with children with disabilities and it is
important to understand the role of switch use in the
developing child.
For a child who has poor cause and effect skills it is
important to teach to this child an understanding that their
actions has an effect and this effect control objects in the
environment like for instance a toy.
When the child learns the impact of cause and effect, can
use this skill to operate a two option device to indicate
choices. The number of options for choice selection can
then be increased and you are on your way developing a
person who can communicate at least needs and wants. So
the ability to learn how to use a switch, although it is in a
playful situation, will also teach the child to interact more
with people.
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For a young child, play is his way of learning about the
environment and his effect on the environment. However,
when you are disabled and you do not have the motor
abilities to interact with your environment appropriately,
activities need to be adapted in order for the child to have
meaningful play opportunities that will lead to learning.
These activities can range from sensory-motor activities
where there is a lot of sensory stimulation for instance
sound and vision or it can be symbolic play activities
creating opportunities for fantasy play using toys such as
vacuum cleaners, washing machines or mixers. It could
also include music activities where a tape recorder or CD
player is adapted for the child to access when he wants to
listen to his favourite songs.
The most important of all is the opportunity that switch use
would facilitate the carry over of skills learnt in a nonthreatening play situation, to other contexts like for instance
the use of the joystick to operate a powered wheelchair, the
mouse of the computer, or even the use of a
communication device. These skills are necessary for
independence, however, we as interventionists, need to
see the value of early intervention using play activities on
the later life of the child.
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Independence is something that all parents will tell you is a
priority in their lives and with the ability to understand the
use of a switch to control another object, children can be
taught to use environmental controls like blinds or the TV’s
remote control.
I hope it I sketched a positive picture for you regarding how
important it is for children with disabilities to learn how to
operate a switch and the cause and effect relationship it
has with objects in the environment.
As I stated in the beginning, I have focused on the reasons
for using switches when focusing on the child with
disabilities, but is it only children who cannot talk that we
need to have switch training as part of their individual
intervention plans? No. Because of the cognitive load
involved in switch use, children with cognitive impairments
like Down’s Syndrome could also benefit from this
intervention. Children with acquired disabilities like head
injuries will also benefit. Neurological disorders like
musculo-distrophy is another physical condition that would
benefit from switch use. These children had a typical
development and have already acquired a vast amount of
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skills that they will be able to use as the condition
progressively deteriorates. For these children
independence is fundamental and a switch operated device
for environmental control or communication should then be
provided. Just because a child cannot write due to his
condition, does not mean that we cannot give him access
to the academic stream of the school. A switch adapted to
a computer is al it takes to provide access to participation in
school activities.
However, all the diagnoses of children we include in switch
training, can also be used for the adult population. Their
needs might be a bit different due to the contexts the
functioning in.
So, after all of this theoretical input, I need to explain to you
what a switch is. It is something that can be pressed to
activate a toy or any device that is turned on or off by
opening or closing a circuit.
How does a switch work? Like a pump that pushes the
water through the hose, a battery is pushing electricity
through the wires to the toy. If the circuit is broken, the
electricity is blocked. The switch is the main man that can
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regulate the flow of electricity by opening or closing the
circuit.
Today we are going to learn how to make a simple
pressure switch. However, there are a quite a variety of
switches available so that you can match a child’s skill with
the type of switch selected. Sometimes you need try out
different switches before you can be sure which switch is
the best match for the child. Keep in mind that you want to
keep the effort low, but the success and enjoyment high.
This way you know the child will continue to use the switch
even if you are not there to assist.
The following table explains step-by-step how to make a
simple pressure switch.
Preparation
• Cut a 1m piece of ripcord
• Split the ripcord at both
ends about 5 cm
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• Remove a 2cm piece of
plastic coating on both
sides of the ripcord to
expose the copper wire.
• One side for the Jack
plug
• One side for the switch
Jack plug (Male)
• Use the other side of the
ripcord and twist the
copper wire to keep the
separa
te
wires together. Do each
one separately
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• The “male” jack plug has
only 2 places where the
wire can be attached. You
will use both.
1
2
• Stick one strand of the
ripcord through one hole,
fold it double and twist it
around to fasten it tightly.
Use the nose pliers.
• Do the same with the 2nd
hole
• Use the nose pliers to
flatten the “wings” and
secure the wire
• Solder these wires to the
jack plug for durability
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• Cover the wires with the
casing
Simple Pressure Switch
• Materials
• 2 CD’s
• 2 Pieces of paper to
cover the CD’s
• 2 pieces of foil cut in the
size of the CD
• Glue
•
•
•
•
•
Rip cord
Jack plug (Male)
Soldiering iron
Flux
Insulation tape
• Glue the outside of both
CD’s
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• Cover it with an
appropriate cover
• Glue the other side of both
CD”s
• Use the other side of the
rip cord and spread the
wires out
• Stick the rip cord to both
CD’s
• Make sure that the plastic
of the rip cord is on the CD
• Now cover the wire with
the foil and rub the foil onto
the wire. Do both CD’s
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• To secure the rip cord –
use 2 pieces of insulation
tape.
• Stick one piece over the rip
cord and CD
• Turn the CD around and
fold the insulation tape
over onto the cover
• Do the same with the
second piece of insulation
tape from the cover’s side
• Turn the CD over and fold
the insulation tape over.
Rub it.
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• Get 2 pieces of foam. This
is for the individual who
needs a quick response as
there is little pressure
needed to activate the
switch.
• If you add 2 more pieces of
foam, it will take more
effort from the child to
activate the switch.
• Use enough glue to glue
the pieces of foam onto the
foil
• Now add glue on top of the
foam pieces
• Put the second CD on top
of the foam, but make sure
that the one rip cord is
above the other rip cord
• Your switch is now finished
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• Test your switch
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