PowerLink® 4 Control Unit

Product Description

Physical 0

Skills

• Use the PowerLink 4 with your own external switch(es) to provide opportunities for children with physical limitations.
• Because two objects can be plugged in using two separate switches, children can work on hand strength and simultaneous or alternating movements. The unit has a counter to see how many times each side was activated.
• The external switch can be placed near a child’s weak side to encourage moving and strengthening that side.
• On the “two-switch” mode, both external switches need to be activated simultaneously to turn on whatever is plugged into the unit. This can increase opportunities for children to use both sides of their body to turn on the object that is plugged in. This is particularly beneficial for children who have a weaker side and need help to use and strengthen that side.
• The “timed seconds” and “timed minutes” modes allow a single activation to run the object for an extended period of time. This enables children to use their bodies and focus their energy to press the external switch and then have time to refocus their attention on what they activated.
• “Latch” mode works well for children who have physical limitations to be able to enjoy an action without continued “work”. For instance, if music is plugged into the unit, the person may want to relax and listen to music without having to maintain pressure on an external switch to keep it going. And he may not want the music to stop within a set period of time. In “latch” mode, one activation of an external switch will turn the unit on. A second activation of that switch will turn the unit off, leading to control and independence.

Social/Emotional 0

Skills

• The PowerLink 4 supports independence in children and adults.
• This unit helps foster inclusion.
• Parallel play as well as cooperative play can be incorporated into an activity with the option to plug in two different objects.
• This unit can be used to activate two appliances to encourage choice making.
• The unit is easy to understand and operate.
• Children can use the PowerLink 4 together to feel a sense of belonging and cooperation. They can collaborate with others to activate and create.

Cognitive 0

Skills

• The PowerLink 4 supports independence in children and adults.
• This unit helps foster inclusion.
• This unit can be used to activate two appliances to encourage choice making.
• Parallel play as well as cooperative play can be incorporated into an activity with the option to plug in two different objects.
• The unit is easy to understand and operate.
• This unit reduces the number of steps and skill needed to activate an object leading to heightened success and increased confidence.
• Each of the six modes of operation provides different experiences with cause and effect learning.
• On the “two-switch” mode, both external switches need to be activated simultaneously to turn on whatever is plugged into the unit. This can increase opportunities for cognitive thought processing.
• The “timed seconds” and “timed minutes” modes allow a single activation to turn on the object for an extended period of time. Once activated, the unit will count down the seconds or minutes until it stops. This can help children who have attention difficulties to watch and wait until they can activate it again.
• The PowerLink 4 can be used to extend an activity. For instance, plug a blender into the PowerLink 4 for the child to create his own smoothie and then have the smoothie as a reward for his action or as a menu option for his playmates.