Classification with a cognitive disability is the organization of material objects into groups that are the same, and the organization of actions into steps that serve the purpose of completing an activity. Within ACL 3.6, classification takes the simplest form of grouping objects together according to sensory information provided by concrete, material objects.
Classification begins in its simplest form by matching bright colors in ACL 3.4. Sorting by color or shape uses the conceptual name of a perceivable cue as the sorting criterion. Language enters the scale as an independent concept in ACL 3.6. In ACL 3.4 and below, language is secondary to a demonstration and reading and writing are irrelevant.
Sorting Die Cut Craft Foam Shapes
Of the entire die cut shapes on the market, craft foams are usually the simplest and thickest.
Within ACL 3.6 they are good for sorting.
These are probably too thin and too hard to peel the backing off of to sustain attention very long within ACL 3.6 and 3.8. The quickest way to find out is to give one to someone and watch and see what happens.
The large eraser and pen holders are OK, but the traditional pencil erasers that are in bright colors could be mistaken for candy. Please do not give them to people functioning within ACL 3.6 through 4.4 unless you are sitting there watching their every move.
The simplest form of classification may be taking similar things in and out of containers.
Fruit and vegetable baskets are classics the world over.
Sorting
Sorting starts in ACL 3.6 and is limited to bright primary, secondary or neon colors or shapes. The information added within ACL 3.6 is shape because color is included within 3.4.
Sorting can be used as a quick means of verifying a person's ability to function or as an affirmative group activity in a quality of life program. Obtaining the right supplies and setting up the activity requires special set-ups to capture and sustain attention.
The advantage of sorting activities is that many of the items are reusable for days and weeks. After several weeks, people do get tired of the same items, which can be observed in shorter attention spans.
The selection of supplies places safety first. Not chocking on anything that goes in their mouth, washable items that allow for infection control and drooling, and no sharps to avoid injuries are top priorities. If it cannot be washed, it will probably need to be thrown away, which can be OK.
Sorting - Sizes
The sizes of the objects have definite limits:
- Objects that are less than ½ inch (1¼ cm) can probably be swallowed and passed through the gastrointestinal track of most adults and teenagers. Objects that are bigger than 1 inch (2 ½ cm) are usually too big to swallow. The goal is to find items that either pass safely or cannot be swallowed at all.
- Objects that are smaller than ¼ inch (½ cm) will probably be hard for the person functioning between ACL 3.6 and 4.4 to pick up. Between poor eye-hand control and the risk of swallowing, the selection of objects narrows considerably.
- Within ACL 3.6, sorting is usually done while seated at a table and done with objects that are within a short arms reach. Lots of big objects move out of arms reach and out of sight for people functioning within ACL 3.6. Large items are avoided because their visual field is limited.
- The size of their visual field, clumsy eye-hand coordination and the risks of swallowing make it hard to find safe sorting objects. As a general guideline, no bigger than the palm of their hand will usually provide enough items to sort.
Sorting - Containers
If there is going to be a lot of sorting going on, investing in good sorting containers can save caregivers from a lot of aggravation. The primary considerations are shallow and / or transparent. Look for containers that are no more than 2" (5 cm) high so that people can see into the container easily. The bins used by artists for mixing colors that are circles with a depth of about ½" (1 ¼ cm) are good for the smaller objects such as beads.
Transparent containers and wire baskets help sustain attention because the contents can be seen.
Sorting - Objects
The following objects are suggested with some discussion of their pros and cons within ACL 3.6:
- Beads
Beads can be inexpensive, washable, brightly colored and small enough to avoid chocking. I prefer tri-beads because they stay put when they are dropped to the floor. Whatever hits the floor, you will have to pick-up.
- Shapes
Small shapes that are die cut out of felt and craft foam can be found in solid colors for sorting. Craft foam is washable: look for net bags to place them in a washing machine.
- Pom-poms
Pom-poms come in bulk packages of bright colors and in different sizes. I have never tried to wash them.
- Nuts & Bolts
Nuts, bolts and washers are a boring color when real and brightly colored as a toy. Screws and nails have sharp points, but large ones may be acceptable in some situations.
- Food
Food mixtures include grapes, cherries, trail mixes, stir fry vegetables, vegetable trays, and salad mixes that can be sorted by name or color. Food items with common restrictions are sugar with diabetes and seeds with diverticulitis.
- Desk Items
Desk items include paper clips, erasers, note pads, pencils and pens, rubber bands, keys, glue sticks, and business cards. Pencils, pens, erasers, paper clips and paper binders come in assorted colors and sizes.
- Cutlery
Cutlery is made in different metals, wood and plastic colors and in different sizes and patterns. Within ACL 3.6, sorting is apt to be done by the name of spoons and forks as they are used by the person. Colors are a close second choice. Chopsticks can be grouped together in pairs by color.
- Laundry
Sorting the laundry is familiar to a lot of people and has the advantage of items that can be used safely. Socks, napkins, tea towels, underpants, and children's shirts and pants are of a size that can be managed within ACL 3.6. Adult t-shirts are the easiest adult size clothing for most people.
The laundry typically involves sorting, folding, and stacking, which are 3 actions for some people and a one-step habit for others. The person's activity history usually explains which it is for an individual. When it is a habit, they can usually sort, fold, and stack within ACL 3.6.
Sorting by color requires obvious differences within ACL 3.4 and 3.6.
- Tea Candles
These candles are supposed to have odors as indicted by the pictures on the boxes. My olfactory senses are not very good, and I doubt if I could sense the smells as yes or no with a blind fold on. Olfactory sensations are questionable criterion for testing classification abilities.
- Paper Clips
This row is higher because it is one color. Color is a classification of a sensory perception. The transition out of linear information is evident in clinging to placing in a row.
Carabiner
Carabiners are storage clips with a spring-loaded side that have recently been introduced into the mass market. The original use was for mountain climbing, and the rope passed freely through the clip. The clips currently available are for lighter weight materials. They come in an assortment of sizes and colors, which makes them an attractive sorting supply.
The "s" hooks are familiar to most people and offer a different shape of hardware.
The metal sorting cups were found with office supplies in the dollar store and were designed for paper clips and push pins.
Fleeting Activities
Within ACL 3.6, the concept of an activity comes and goes, which is why I have called them fleeting activities. The goal directed idea does not last very long. They are the people who are apt to come out of their bedroom half dressed. They get the idea of doing an activity and then the idea leaves their working memory. They forget what they were doing. Or, they will abandon the task after one or two steps of the activity or after a minute. Prompting is required for them to continue to the next step until the activity is completed. When they get tired or done, they rarely show any concern about the completion of the activity.
An activity is a classification of actions that are combined to reach a goal. Simple activities have three steps. Each step consists of a manual action that the person already knows how to do.
Within ACL 4.0, the concept of an activity guides the actions or steps throughout the process of doing the activity.
The process is incomplete within ACL 3.6. You are apt to observe that they start out OK for the first step, but after the first step is completed, they may have no idea that another step is even needed and may sit and wait for you to give them the next direction. You can expect them to listen to verbal directions to go to the next step in activities of daily living, simple craft activities, or to take a turn in games.
Trying to define what a step is gets confusing. I decided to follow the lead of the people functioning within ACL 4.0. When they ask, "What do I do next?" that is a step.
Suggested Daily Activity
Activities that do not require a definite completion reduce unrealistic expectations and frustration for caregivers. Partial completion of designs for placemats, note cards or decorations allow for genuine, positive acceptance.
Not expecting a finished product can be replaced by an expectation of throwing the product away at the end of the session. The goal is to sustain attention, not to be productive. If they are happy and occupied, that is what matters.
Placing cut flowers into a vase for their room is a popular activity for men and women. Assistance will probably be required for selecting good flowers and a vase, trimming leaves and cleaning up water spills.
Placing display items on a book shelf with other unbreakable display items can incorporate some bending and stretching of their trunk. They will probably need standby assistance and a gait belt because their balance is unsteady when they bend and stretch.