Simple 5 minute Easil

I noticed a client bending over the table while painting this lovely spring picture. It took 5 minutes for me to cut a large box with 2 of the 4 sides overlapping to make a 3 sided figure. Then I pushed the flaps inside and added a bit of tape to hold in place. I cut a small opening on top to fit a large clip to hang up the art..... When it gets wrecked from art projects it will be easy and free to replace....

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Source: Make Your Own Paint Easel by RecyclingOT on Rumble

Bilateral Insertion Activity

I have been evaluating a woman who has arthritis and only grasps flat objects using her fingers. At the same time she has an obsession about keeping a smooth pebble fidget inside her fingers.
She is able to pull apart the Velcro pieces and with a little guidance insert  each half into a lid slot.

The person in the video enjoys repetitive insertion tasks but tends to avoid using his hands together. So pulling the Velcro pieces apart works nicely in promoting bilateral hand use.

 I made the slot narrow enough so that it is difficult to insert the green and red plastic pieces while they are connected.  Some individuals enjoy the sensory input of ripping apart Velcro . I also like how I was able to add a bit of challenge to an insertion task- requiring 2 steps- ripping apart before inserting.

I cut the green and red plastic from detergent and juice bottles.








 
 
 

Macrame Hanger Craft

One of the first crafts I learned in graduate school was to macramé around a hanger. This can be given as a gift with lots of color options. Clothing will stay on the cord better than on a slippery wire hanger. The plastic hangers are a bit too thick to use. I found this wire hanger but unfortunately the bottom is made with cardboard instead of wire, so we are doing the best we can and I will be looking for some better hangers......

The first part of the video shows a client learning how to do this. she is obviously quite high functioning and is interested in finding some leisure time crafts she can do at home and in the day program. I attached the hook of the hanger to a pulley that was on the wall so that she stands and reaches while working on this.
The second part of the video shows a staff person learning how to do this. She is sitting and this is an option if its easier to control the hanger by squeezing it between the knees while manipulating the cord.  She seems excited to learn some new crafts as well !