Flexible Wax Sticks

Made of hand-knitting yarn and are enhanced with a special nontoxic, food-grade microcrystalline wax. They can be manipulated to support sensory and fine motor skills, assist with writing, and be used as a visual aid.

AT Category: Sensory
- Tactile
AT Category: Academic
- Fine Arts
- Math
- Writing
AT Category: Access
- Instruction

Low - Mid Tech

Considerations

Take the following considerations into account when selecting and implementing AT to ensure that the chosen tools are well-suited to the student’s needs, align with their goals, and seamlessly integrate into their educational journey. By embracing a collaborative approach and considering the specific skills, tasks, and implementation context, educators can provide students with the necessary support to thrive academically and functionally, promoting inclusivity and fostering their overall success.

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Occupational Therapist (OT): An OT may be a member of the multidisciplinary team that evaluates or reevaluates students suspected of having a disability, including dysgraphia, and participates as an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee member in writing the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP), drafting annual goals, and recommending assistive technology services and/or the related services of occupational therapy. An OT may provide services that are academic and/or functional in nature. Examples are graphomotor skills needed for handwriting; fine motor skills which include small, finely coordinated hand movements; visual perceptual skills which include the ability to understand and interpret what is seen; visual motor skills which include the ability to coordinate visual and motor skills; and/or self-care skills which include feeding, dressing, hygiene, and toileting skills for increasing independence in necessary life skills. The OT may be a member of the Local Education Agency (LEA) assistive technology (AT) team.
Physical Therapist (PT): A PT may be a member of the multidisciplinary team that evaluates or reevaluates students suspected of having a disability and participates as an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee member in writing the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP), drafting annual goals, and recommending assistive technology services and/or the related service of physical therapy. A PT may provide services that are academic and/or functional in nature depending on the age or grade-level of the student's curriculum. Physical therapy in schools primarily addresses gross motor skills of students, and may include exercises designed to develop strength and endurance, range of motion, and flexibility. The PT may be a member of the LEA assistive technology (AT) team.
Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Specialist: An O&M Specialist is qualified to provide related services to children who are visually impaired to enable students in attaining systematic orientation and safe movement within their environments at school, home, and in the community. In the state of Texas, O&M instruction must be provided by a certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS) who is certified by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals.
Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist: An AT Specialist is a professional dedicated to enhancing the independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities through the evaluation, selection, customization, and training of assistive technology devices and services. These specialists possess expertise in assessing the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and recommending appropriate assistive technology solutions to support their educational, vocational, communication, mobility, and daily living goals. They collaborate with individuals, families, educators, therapists, and other stakeholders to ensure the effective integration and utilization of assistive technology tools and strategies tailored to the individual's abilities and preferences. AT Specialists in Texas adhere to state regulations, standards of practice, and ethical guidelines while promoting access to assistive technology resources and advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities to participate fully in society.
Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI): A TVI is a licensed teacher who has received specialized training and certification in meeting the educational needs of students who have visual impairments ages birth to 21 years. This role may involve adapting teaching methods and materials to accommodate the unique needs of students with varying degrees of vision loss. They are skilled in using and teaching students to use assistive technologies such as screen readers, braille displays, and audio books.
Teachers of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (TODHH): A TODHH is trained to facilitate the academic, social, and linguistic development of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, ages birth to 21 years. They possess expertise in a range of communication modalities, including American Sign Language (ASL), English-based manual-visual languages, and spoken language. TODHHs assess individual student needs, develop tailored instructional plans, and collaborate with other professionals to ensure inclusive learning environments. They employ adaptive teaching strategies, assistive technologies, and specialized curricula to optimize students' educational experiences and promote their overall success in academic and social settings.
Special Education (SpEd) Teacher: A SpEd teacher delivers specially designed instruction (SDI) to students with disabilities. The teacher may serve differing roles, including but not limited to, a co-teacher, provider of direct instruction, and/or provider of indirect services, including consultative services. This teacher is a required member of the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee who participates in writing the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP). The teacher contributes to drafting annual goals, developing how student progress will be measured, and determining any needed modifications to the student's general education curriculum and accommodations. The teacher makes recommendations about supplementary aids and services which may include any needed assistive technology (AT) services. The special education teacher may be a member of the LEA assistive technology (AT) team.

Skills and Tasks What skills or tasks will the student utilize this tool for? What areas, functional or academic, does this tool support?

Fine motor skills
Geometric properties

Implementation Context In what activities, classes, or environments will the student utilize this tool?

Flexible Wax Sticks offer a simple method for crafting tactile graphics, aiding in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training, illustrating map concepts, enhancing music lessons, refining daily living skills, and serving various other purposes. Their ability to stick to nearly any smooth surface with minimal fingertip pressure makes them effortless to utilize for achieving a raised line effect. They can be used to create tactile cues and prompts for students with visual impairments or as a tool for sensory regulation for students with autism or sensory processing disorders.

Below are a few ways flexible wax sticks can be use in the classroom:

Sensory and fine motor skills development: Flexible wax sticks are excellent for promoting sensory exploration and fine motor skill development. Students can manipulate the sticks to create shapes, letters, numbers, and designs, which can help strengthen their hand muscles and improve dexterity.
Visual aid for learning: Teachers can use flexible wax sticks to create visual aids such as diagrams, charts, and graphs. For example, in math class, flexible wax sticks can be used to illustrate geometric shapes or to create bar graphs for representing data. In language arts, they can be used to form letters and words, aiding in spelling and literacy development.
Adapted writing and drawing tools: For students who have difficulty gripping traditional writing utensils, flexible wax sticks can serve as an alternative tool for writing and drawing. They can mold the sticks into shapes that are easier for them to grasp, allowing them to participate more fully in writing and drawing activities.