Adapting Mediums

In addition to tool modifications you may want to consider adapting the medium you choose. If your student can color but exhibit difficulty grasping a crayon, adapt by thinking, would they be more successful if they used a larger or smaller crayon.  Fine motor skills can be enhanced by using smaller mini crayons or breaking regular crayons in 1/2. If grasping small objects is a challenge, try using larger crayons or specially designed crayons as shown. This is the type of thinking you must use when you consider adapting media. If painting with cotton balls or a sponge held by a clothespin results in greater creativity and control than a traditional paintbrush then proceed in that direction.
     

Adaptive Crayons

Student using adaptive crayon

Removing Obstacles

When you are working with your students think of adapting your teaching style by making everyday tasks in the art room more manageable. New tools can lead to new possibilities in the art room. However, just changing the tools may not be enough. New spring loaded scissors will be of great assistance for hands who do not have enough strength, although cutting on a line may still be difficult. Try creating a think line to cut on by using a wide marker so that it may be seen easier for students with low vision.  Allowing students to work on a larger scale also encourages greater success.

Larger grips, pencil grips and a variety of scissors are available. Student using tool adaptation and visual adaptation of large dark cutting line.

Adapting Tools

I focus on three areas for adapting art, first let's discuss tools.  Adapting the tools a enables students with disabilities to be more successful in expressing themselves artistically. There are many tools currently on the market which allow students to hold and use tools more easily which results in greater confidence and success. Many students with physical disabilities have what is referred to as a "Door Knob Grasp. "Paintbrushes with special handles purchased or created help build confidence as the student achieves better control. Here are some ideas, more tools. mediums and lesson in the next post.

Adaptive Paintbrushes Purchased or Created

Resources:  

Abilitations 

Dick Blick

Enasco