Occupational therapists and technicians from Allied Services rehabilitation hospitals in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pa., have developed a way to make playtime fun and rewarding for these special children. Through Allied's Annual Holiday Toy Adaptation Program, children with special needs can have their toys custom-modified so that they can use and enjoy them.

According to James L. Brady, president of Allied Services, a rocking horse can be fitted with an elevated seat-back, a lap belt, and larger hand grips, so that a child with limited trunk control can feel secure while he or she rocks away. Parents also benefit, because they no longer have to hang onto the child all of the time for fear that he or she will fall off.

"Our dream is to establish a National Toy Adaptation Network, where healthcare providers across the country can provide this much needed service for children in their communities," Brady says.

Brady cites additional examples of how toys can be modified to better facilitate play: Puzzles can have wooden or plastic knobs attached to the top of each piece, so that a child with reduced dexterity can more easily grasp the pieces. Mechanical toys, like a motorized plush animal, can be activated by attaching a large external switchpad, that a child can press down on with his or her hand, elbow, forehead, etc.

Most modifications are inexpensive to make, use very basic materials and have resulted from a combination of need and a little ingenuity, Brady says. All modifications are provided free of charge to children and their families. Allied's program runs from November through January, a crucial time for holiday toy purchases.

Therapists and technicians not only modify existing toys, but they provide parents with pre-shopping advice about which toys are best suited to their child's specific needs. All parents have to do is pick up the phone and make an appointment to stop by with their children.

Allied also has two toy lending libraries at its rehabilitation hospitals where youngsters with disabilities can "sign out" specially modified toys in much the same way that books are borrowed from a traditional library.

Since 1983, dozens of children with arthritis, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, multiple sclerosis and other diagnoses have been able to experience the benefits and excitement of play thanks to the program.

"We're pleased to offer this program to children with disabilities," says Brady. "It gives us great satisfaction when we can modify a child's toy so that he or she can enjoy it during the holidays and all year long."

For more information on the Holiday Toy Adaptation Program, or how to establish a toy adaptation program in your community, contact Allied Services at 717-348-1300.