The SPLAT (Switch Play Learning and Technology) Toy Library provides support and advice about play and switch adapted toys to young children in Edinburgh and the Lothians who because of some form of disability are unable to play with ordinary toys, but who can activate a switch or access a touch screen device. The SPLAT toy library also includes our Switch on Software resource, our StoryBags and the “Let’s Play and Talk Together” games. Click here to view a new Power Point presentation on using your switch toys at home.
The SPLAT Toy Library is part of the Keycomm service to young children (aged 0-3 years) and their families. It is ongoing since March 2000, orginally due to funding from Sure Start Scotland, but is now part of our core services. Parents and key professionals can make an appointment to visit and borrow toys and switches during office hours, Monday to Friday.
A therapist is available to carry out a communication and switch assessment to find the right toys and switch access for individual children. She can assess children at Keycomm, visit them at home or at their nursery/early years care.
The therapist can also advise about using technology like touch screen devices or switches to interact with PCs and offer broader ideas about adapting mainstream toys or making low cost sensory areas in the home.
We have different toys for different needs:
Direct Switch Toys – Mini dome, Tail Light, Koosh Switch, musical bead frame, peekaboo mirror, mini popper, mirror plate switch, rocket switch, large lens switch, desktop busy box, etc.
These toys are perfect for developing awareness of cause and effect. Pressing over a wide area of the toy makes something happen, instantly and for as long as the touch continues. Some of them can also be used as a switch to activate another toy.
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Sensory Toys – lights and visual effects, sounds and music, touch and vibration, smells. Including LED light up fans, disco balls, spinning light globes, fibre-optic and bubble tube, musical toys, sound effect toys, vibrating pillows, snakes and little animals, aroma fans, etc.
These toys are great for children with a sensory impairment e.g..who have reduced vision or hearing or for those who need different levels of sensory stimulation to help them register the effects from a toy. Most can be connected to a wide range of switches and timers so that children can have a reward for even very small movements.
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Soft Toys – TV, Story book and film characters, farm animals, pets, jungle animals, even dinosaurs!
All our soft toys are animated and are operated using a switch. Great for developing understanding of cause and effect skills as the cause and effect are separate. Made for early to intermediate switching skills. Also great for encouraging sound making, gesture/ expression, key words (animal sounds, names, actions and key play requests: go, stop, again? more? finished? wait) and learning themes, such as pets/ jungle/ zoo/ farm. Can be loaned to teachers/nursery staff who are looking for resources to support a theme.
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Transport – Cars, buses, lorries, tractors, Thomas the tank engine
We have lots of different cars and lorries, some operated by a switch, others by a simple remote control. All have movement/ transport sounds/ lights.
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Turn Taking Toys – Elefun, Go Fish, twirl’n’paint, bubble blower
These toys enable a child with special needs to join in or control turn taking games – operate the fan to expel butterflies for friends or sibling to catch, switch to make the the fish swim and difficult to catch for players.
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Party Toys – Balloon blower, disco ball, bubble trouble, music player
Perfect for birthday parties and celebrations. Making it fun for everyone!
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Families can refer their child to SPLAT using this referral form. We ask that professionals use this referral form. Also, please take a look at our list of iPad Apps for First Skills Development.
Keycomm 