Assistive Technology and Occupational Therapy. What is Assistive Technology (AT)? No Tech Solution Low Tech Solution High Tech Solution.

Assistive Technology and

Occupational Therapy

What is Assistive Technology (AT)?

• No Tech Solution• Low Tech Solution• High Tech Solution

Rehabilitation Technology means:the systematic application of technologies,

engineering methodologies, or scientific principles to meet the needs of and address the barriers confronted by individuals with disabilities in areas which include education, rehabilitation, employment, transportation, independent living, and recreation. The term includes rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services.

• as defined by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

What’s the difference between a low tech device and a high tech

device? Give some examples...Low Tech High Tech

What we’ll talk about

• Environmental control• Computer access• Augmentative communication• Driving

• April 8, Apr 29, May 6• Apr 15 (no class-AOTA conference)• Apr 22 Disability Rights- date may

change

Choosing AT

• Importance of Choosing Optimal Device– Better task performance– Lower cost– Better satisfaction

Preferred Sequence of Determining Intervention with AT

• improve the person’s ability to perform the task• change or eliminate the task (no tech)• use a mass market product (lower cost, easier to

maintain and fix- ex from radioshack)-adaptations- ex keygaurd foto feel keys better. • use a specialty device (high tech computer

access if someone cant use body part)• Adapt specialty device- modify already existing• fabricate a new device- the person who made it

is only one who knows how to fix it etc.

Performing an AT Evaluation

A. Determine the Activity or Activities to be Performed and is having trouble doing it

B. Evaluate the Person– Sensory Motor Performance– Psycho-social Issues (including

cognitive issues)

C. Evaluate the Task (task analysis)D. Evaluate the Environment,

support systemE. Evaluate the Device

What about the device do you consider?

After the device is selected, what then?

A. Funding

B. Receipt of Device

C. Training

D. Follow-up

A Few General Concepts…

• Direct versus indirect selection– Direct

• Direct selection• Coded access

– Indirect• Scanning

– Traditional scanning– Inverse scanning– Row/column (http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=DoL_pX1kE-M&feature=related)

– (partner assisted scanning- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_P8OG04wqc)

General Concepts (continued)

• Switch output– Momentary – Latched– Proportional control

AT to manipulate the Environment

Low-tech Devices (ie. mouthstick, reacher, etc.)

can be used for multiple purposes

Typing aid- can be used as pointer/poker Universal Cuff

Special Purpose Devices

• Low Tech Devices with single function- These are designed for a specific use but are still low tech

Special Purpose DevicesElectro-mechanical Aids

• Feeders- two functions– location of the particle– moving it to mouth

• Page Turners– separate the page to be

turned from other pages

– physically move the page from one side to the other (forward or backward)

Environmental Control Units A means to purposefully

manipulate and interact with the environment by alternately accessing one or more electrical devices via switches, voice activation, remote control, computer interface, and other technological adaptations. The purpose of an ECU is to maximize functional ability and independence in the home, school, work, and leisure environments.Bain, DiSalvi, Gold, Kollodge,

Schein, 1991

• Quartet system http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp_1xOQz92g

• KEO• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Cjx7PwNqqk8&feature=related• KEO bluetooth• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=hhAKfKPO4MA&feature=related

Transmission Methods

• Direct Wiring• Remote Control

– House wiring- part of most remote systems

– Ultrasound Transmission– Infrared Transmission (IR)– Radio Frequency Transmission (RF)

Telephone Control

• Communication is paramount– Emergency– Social– vocational