ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGYITC

DEFINITION

Any piece of equipment or product used to: Increase Maintain and/or Improve functioning capabilities of a person with

a disability

WHAT CAN AT DO?

Help a child: Communicate Participate Play Move or sit up See or hear better With early learning

AT QUESTIONS

What does the child need to do that is difficult or impossible because of their disability?

Where and in what situations does the child need to do these tasks?

What is the child’s present level of development for that task?

Are there any high or low tech AT devices that the team feels would help that child do the task?

TYPES OF AT No Tech – doesn’t involve any types of

materials Low Tech – does not involve any type of

electronic or battery operated devices Mid Tech – Battery operated devices and

simple electronic devices requiring limited advancements in technology

High Tech – Complex technological support

THE IDEA OF LOAD/ EFFORT

Physical effortMuscle strength and control

Cognitive effortSensing, remembering, discriminating,

analyzing sequencing, responding Linguistic effort

symbolic interpretation Time

does it take too long to accomplish the task?

TO TEACH SOMEONE TO USE AN AT DEVICE: Consider motivation – What does the

person want/need to say the most?

Start small – teach AT skills in a logical sequenceCause/effectSingle switch

Teach the caregiver about the device.

WHY AT CAN FAIL

Improper match made based on loadTimePhysicalCognitiveLinguistic

Caregivers not being able to use the device.

Device being hard or expensive to maintain.

http://www.rehabtool.com

NO TECH

Sign language Eye gaze Gestures

LOW TECH

Dry erase boards Clipboards 3-ring binders Manila folders Photo albums Photographs Highlight tape Colored paper Certain living aids

http://www.flaghouse.com/

LOW TECH Flip book Key chain Directions and stories with

pictures Printed overlay Sentence strip T-shirts

MID TECH Voice Output Communication Aids

Slim Talker Talking Photo Album Talking Buddy Big Mack switch Go Talk

Battery interrupt Tape Recorder Switches

http://www.gokeytech.com/bluebird_ii.htm

EXAMPLES

Dora the Explorer Frog Segway

HIGH TECH

IntelliKeys Writing With Symbols Touch Window Big Keys and Big Keys Plus Trackballs Software Computers and adaptive hardware Complex voice output devices

Dynamic Display Eye gaze with a computer

REFERENCES

Beukelman, D. & Mirenda, P. (2005). Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Supporting children and adults with complex communication needs. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Susanne Oakey

South Carolina Assistive Technology Project: http://www.sc.edu/scatp/

FOR MORE INFORMATION