Assistive technology doesn’t have to be high-cost or high-tech to be effective. For children with disabilities, neurodivergent learners, and kids who need a bit of extra support, DIY assistive tech tools can offer game-changing ways to engage with lessons, communicate, and participate fully—without the price tag of commercial devices.
Whether you’re a parent, paraeducator, or classroom teacher in an early childhood education or special education setting, you can make learning more accessible with a few simple materials and a dash of creativity. Here’s how to build meaningful, budget-friendly supports using everyday items.
What Is Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology (AT) refers to tools and strategies that support individuals with disabilities in accessing education and daily activities. It can be as simple as a pencil grip or as advanced as a speech-generating device.
DIY assistive tech focuses on low-cost, accessible solutions that help children:
- Stay engaged in learning
- Communicate more effectively
- Practice motor skills
- Participate independently in classroom routines
The goal? To make learning inclusive—without needing a tech lab or a special budget.
1. DIY Communication Boards
Materials: Cardstock, Velcro, printed symbols or PECS images, laminator (optional)
How to Use: Print images of common needs (like bathroom, eat, stop, help), laminate, and Velcro onto a folder or clipboard. Teach the child how to point or remove the image to communicate.
Why It Works: For nonverbal or minimally verbal children, visual supports are a lifeline. This simple board can replace frustration with connection.
Adapt It: Use real photos instead of clipart for children who respond better to familiar visuals.
2. Homemade Tactile Letters
Materials: Cardboard, glue, sand, yarn, fabric scraps
How to Make: Trace letters onto cardboard. Apply glue and cover them with textured materials. Let dry and create a full alphabet set.
Purpose: These tools are especially useful for occupational therapy in early intervention. Children learn letters while also strengthening tactile discrimination and fine motor skills.
3. Adapted Page Turners
Materials: Popsicle sticks, Velcro, foam grips, rubber bands
How to Make: Attach a foam grip or rubber tip to a stick. Secure with Velcro if needed. Use it to help kids with limited hand mobility turn pages.
Why It Helps: Simple but effective, this DIY device promotes independent learning and accessibility during reading or workbook time.
4. Visual Timers Using Sand or Liquid
Materials: Hourglass timer, oil-and-water sensory bottle, or colored rice in a clear container
How to Use: Use the timer to show how long a child has to complete a task, wait for a turn, or take a break.
Why It Works: Visual time cues are easier for many neurodivergent children to process than verbal ones. They also support routine building, an essential skill in early education.
5. Customized Pencil Grips
Materials: Foam curlers, silicone tubing, rubber pencil grips, erasers
How to Use: Slide onto pencils or crayons to make writing tools easier to grasp.
Purpose: Fine motor challenges can make writing frustrating. These supports reduce fatigue and increase comfort.
Bonus Tip: Add a scent or color the child loves for sensory appeal!
6. Sensory Seat Cushions
Materials: Inflatable cushion, DIY bean bags, bumpy fabric, or a wobble seat made from a repurposed disc
Why It Helps: Children who struggle with sensory processing often need movement to focus. A homemade seat cushion can provide just enough wiggle to help with regulation and attention.
7. DIY Adapted Scissors
Materials: Standard scissors, thick rubber bands, or clothespins
How to Make: Attach rubber bands to the handles to spring them open after each cut. Or clip a clothespin on for added grip.
Purpose: This gives children with low muscle tone or coordination issues more control and less strain.
8. Portable First-Then Boards
Materials: Index cards, binder ring, Velcro, images
How to Use: Create simple boards with visuals showing what the child will do first, then next (“First: wash hands, Then: snack”). This tool is key in behavior and transition support.
Use in Classrooms: Educators trained in early childhood learning courses often rely on these visuals to reduce anxiety and prevent meltdowns.
9. Slant Boards from Binders
Materials: Large 3-ring binder, duct tape, clip
How to Make: Place the binder at an angle and clip paper to the front. Instant slant board!
Why It Works: This setup improves handwriting posture and eye tracking, which supports literacy and motor coordination.
10. Touch-and-Talk Vocabulary Books
Materials: Small photo album, real-life images, tactile materials
How to Use: Fill each page with a tactile image and corresponding word. Include real items (like a textured leaf or soft fabric) for multi-sensory interaction.
Purpose: Children with speech delays, autism, or developmental delays benefit from multi-modal learning.
Final Thought: Simple Doesn’t Mean Less Effective
The power of DIY assistive technology lies in its adaptability. It’s not about the most advanced gadget—it’s about what works for your child or classroom.
These tools can be lifesavers for students in special education, particularly when formal evaluations are pending or funding is limited. And for educators, having a go-to kit of simple adaptations can make a big difference in daily routines.
Most importantly, these tools send a strong message: Every child deserves to learn with dignity and access. Sometimes, the best solutions are the ones made with care—and a glue gun.
About Dr. Essence Allen-Presley & EIEI
Dr. Essence Allen-Presley is the founder and visionary leader behind the Education Institute for Early Intervention (EIEI). With a deep passion for inclusion and innovation, Dr. Presley has helped educators and caregivers harness the power of assistive technology, early childhood education, and special education strategies to elevate every child’s potential.
Under her leadership, EIEI offers professional development for educators, support for families, and custom tools for early intervention in both center-based and community settings. Dr. Presley continues to advocate for accessible, equitable, and joyful learning—one DIY tool and one empowered child at a time.