Switched at SLU
Switched at SLU is dedicated to enhancing the accessibility of play for children with disabilities by adapting off-the-shelf toys with switch technology. Currently, switch-adapted toys are significantly more expensive than non-adapted, off-the-shelf toys (Rasmussen et al., 2023). Additionally, insurance does not reimburse for switch-adapted toys. This causes a barrier to toy access and play for children with disabilities. Switched at SLU hosts workshops to educate OT, PT, and SLP students and professionals on the process of toy adaptation. The adapted toys are then distributed through community giveaways and made available to practitioners for use in their clinics.
Switched at SLU is an official chapter of Switched Adapted Toys. The Switched at SLU chapter allows occupational, physical, and speech therapy students to work together to adapt the toys. Sharing between disciplines builds knowledge and skills through interprofessional collaboration.
Learn More About Switched Adapted Toys
Children with medically complex disabilities often lack access to toys when compared to non-disabled peers. Switched at SLU adapts toys so that they are switch-activated, and enables play, participation, socialization and skill development for all children. The project addresses community needs by providing toys to children with disabilities, enabling them to play with greater autonomy. This reflects the SLU Jesuit value of serving our community and living out the call to become people for and with others.
Impact
- Received grant from the Rotary Club of St. Louis for tools and toys
- Learned to switch-adapt toys from no prior knowledge
- Hosted first interprofessional build days for SLU students where 50+ OT, PT, and SLP students collaborated in teams to adapt toys
- Distributed 40+ switch-adapted toys to St. Louis Arc Capable Kids Program
- 20 children and families received adapted toys and external switches to facilitate fun, age-appropriate play, social interaction, and communication
- Barrier was switch cost (switches for $60+ and not all worked…)
- Read About the Adapted Toy Distribution Event
- Received 1818 Community Engagement Grant
- Renewed grant from the Rotary Club of St. Louis
- Partnered with the SLU Center for Additive Manufacturing for 3D-printed switches
- CAM prints our switches for $5.50/piece (compared to $80 retail price)
- Distributed 30+ switch-adapted toys through the St. Louis Arc Capable Kids Program
- Provided 30 switches for Huddy Buddy Bag program at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital
- Facilitated interprofessional workshop for SLU OT, PT, and SLP students
- Introduced an additional interprofessional build day for 19 practitioners from the St. Louis region
- Renewed grant from the Rotary Club of St. Louis
- Continued partnership with SLU CAM for 3D-printed switches
- Hosted third annual interprofessional build day for 25 OT, PT, and SLP students in September 2025
- Distributed 30+ switch-adapted toys to local families through St. Louis Arc Capable Kids Program in November 2025
- Hosted Spring 2026 adaptive toy workshops for early childhood providers from St. Louis Arc and St. Louis Children’s Hospital OT, PT, and SLP providers
- Renewed grant from the Rotary Club of St. Louis
- Host the fourth annual interprofessional build day for 25 OT, PT, and SLHS students in October 2026
- Collaboration with Saint Louis Public Schools (SLPS), Gateway Michael School to provide adaptive toys and switches to SLPS students
- Host an adaptive toy workshop in Spring 2027 for SLPS OT, PT, and SLPs
- Collaboration with the SLU mechanical engineering program to expand the complexity of toys that are adapted
- In November 2026, Switched at SLU will co-host an adaptive toy workshop for OTs, PTs, SLPs, and caregivers at the APTA Academy of Pediatrics Annual Conference
- Continued collaboration with St. Louis Children’s Hospital to distribute adaptive toys to children with disabilities
Meet the Team
Sarah Zimmerman is an assistant professor of occupational science and occupational therapy and co-founder of Switched at SLU. She has more than 20 years of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist in inpatient and outpatient clinics and schools. At SLU, she teaches undergraduate and graduate students, serves on the Autism Diagnostic Team at the Interdisciplinary Center for Autism Services, and provides motor screenings and RTI services at local schools. She is passionate about expanding access to play for people of all ages.
Favorite childhood toy: Legos
Jessica Barreca is the assistant director of clinical education and an assistant professor of physical therapy and athletic training. She is also a co-founder of Switched at SLU. Barreca earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in physical therapy from Marquette University, a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University, and a doctorate in public and social policy from SLU. She has more than 20 years of experience as a pediatric physical therapist, working with children and families through early intervention programs, community organizations, schools and clinics. Her previous experience includes serving as an administrator for Chicago Public Schools and an early childhood disability policy manager with Start Early.
Her research focuses on early childhood disability policy, interprofessional education and collaboration, and trauma-informed care. She serves on the executive board of the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank and the board of directors for the APTA Academy of Pediatrics. Barreca is passionate about expanding access to play for people of all ages.
Favorite childhood toy: Pound Puppy
Our student research team includes graduate students and seniors from the Doisy College of Health Sciences programs, primarily from occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech, language and hearing sciences.
Resources
Access Switched at SLU's Adaptive Toy Resource Guide below for information about how to play with switch-adapted toys, build and fix your own switch-adapted toys, create a "Switched Kit," and navigate the Switched website.
Community Partners & Sponsors
- The Center for Additive Manufacturing at SLU: Each 3D-printed switch costs approximately $5.50 to produce, compared with a retail price of $80.
- St. Louis Arc Capable Kids: Switch-adapted toys modified during the fall workshops are distributed at no cost to families participating in St. Louis Arc’s Capable Kids program, which supports families of children from birth through age 7 who have disabilities.
- Rotary Club of St. Louis: The Rotary Club of St. Louis, Club 11, helps fund the purchase of off-the-shelf toys and switches that Switched at SLU adapts and distributes to local families.