Steps Before Step Scanning for Mind Express 5 by Linda Burkhart

Steps Before Step Scanning is a collection of activities that have been designed by Linda Burkhart, to help individuals with severe multiple and physical challenges to develop the motor/cognitive abilities to activate first a single switch, and then 2 switches, based upon the individual’s own intent. There is no 'timing' aspect in any of these activities, because in learning and refining new movement patterns, the brain needs to be able to slow down in order to process the information and form new neurological connections. 

This is the first set of activities in series that will be available for children learning to use two switch step scanning. All activities are based on the 'Stepping Stones to Switch Access' by Linda Burkhart. Some of these activities were previously available for IntelliTools Classroom Suite. 

Steps Before Step Scanning is available as an expansion to Mind Express 5 or a standalone DocLock version.

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This video will introduce the software activities:  Steps Before Step Scanning, to teach children who use switches, to access a computer.  The activities are created in the software Mind Express by Jabbla.  Videos and songs in these activities are customizable with the full Mind Express software.

Sample Steps Before Step Scanning activities at the 2 switches 2 functions level. Two switches are used to access these activities. The switch on the left side controls the left side of the screen and the one on the right controls the right side of the screen. You can customize the photos of who is hiding and the child can select a photo. Then, the photo moves across the screen when the corresponding switch is activated. Activities created in Mind Express by Jabbla.

Sample Steps Before Step Scanning activities at the 2 switches 2 functions level. Child can stack blocks with one switch and knock them down with the other. Activities created in Mind Express by Jabbla.

These activities are designed to reflect Stepping Stone 4: Move, Move, Get. Use these activities once the individual has learned that different switches can have different functions and they have had some independent practice with two switches in a variety of activities.  In these activities, one switch becomes the mover and one becomes the selector.
Each of these activities work with switch 1 moving something incrementally across the screen with each activation of the switch.  During this time, only switch 1 works. Once the item has moved all the way to the picture on the right of the screen, then switch 1 stops working and switch 2 will now start the animation.   This helps the individual make a clear connection for the purpose of each switch and prepares them for learning two switch step scanning.
If you own the full version of Mind Express, you can change the pictures on the right of the screen in both the ‘put on hats’ and ‘vehicles’ activities (PDF in Support tab).

All instructions listed below can be found on Linda Burkhart's website, at this link.

About: Steps Before Step Scanning. 

Installing: Steps Before Step Scanning. 

Imposting Media FIles into the Mind Express Media Library. 

Directions for Customizing Your Own Pictures. 

Customizing Videos and Songs in Steps Before Step Scannin: Two Videos and Two Songs. 

Customizing Videos and Songs in Steps Before StepScanning: Cause and Effect Direct Activities.