Every child deserves the ability to enjoy the fun that comes from playing with toys. 

For most, this may come naturally and prove to be quite simple and worry-free.  However, there are many children that find great difficulty in performing the skills necessary to function these toys.  What appears to be an enjoyable, easy pastime instead proves to be more of a challenge for children with motor disabilities.

Cerebral Palsy, the most common motor disability in children, makes the simple act of pressing a button on the hand of a plush, sing-along bunny nearly impossible.  According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CP has been identified in about 1 in 323 children, so it is more common than you may think.  41% of children with CP also had co-occurring epilepsy while 6.9% also had autism spectrum disorder-- so not only do they have to overcome the struggles attached to CP, but the hardships of these other diseases as well. 

Thankfully, as technology has improved and developed overtime, there have been conclusions made about the capabilities of children with certain motor disabilities as well as how to engage those strengths in order to overcome their weaknesses.  Switch-adapted toys are specially made to work to enhance and foster and enhance the abilities of children that are unable to communicate with conventional interactive toys.

Everyone deserves to smile regardless of age or ability.

We strive to be the reason behind that smile.

-- Rise and Shine Together Team

References:

1. “Cerebral Palsy (CP).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 Mar. 2018, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/data.html.