Assistive Technology

Hi there! 

As technology advances, the tools or equipment occupational therapists can use to enable their clients to participate in meaningful and purposeful occupation increases.  The term used to refer to a broad range of products/devices, practices, strategies or services that have been developed to enable occupation participation and independence for the disabled and older people is, ‘Assistive Technology’ (Cook, & Hussey, 1995; Pain, & Pengelly, 2010).

One assistive device I was introduced to during one of my tutorials, and saw being used while on fieldwork placement last year, was a Communication Board.  It is also referred to as a Picture Symbol Communication Board.  These devices are used to communicate by children and adults with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and other disabilities.  A Communication Board is essentially a card made of paper or cardboard that contains a set of symbols and letters which are adapted to suit the communication needs of the user.  They come in different sizes, but they are generally 25.4cm x 29.2cm.  The average cost for a basic Communication Board is $50 (NZ).

Communication Boards make communication easier for the user. During my fieldwork placement I saw firsthand how this device:

·         Minimised misunderstanding between the user and the individual they are trying to communicate with.

·         Improved efficiency of communication.  That is, the user had their needs or wants and questions answered more quickly.

·         Increased the user’s participation in activities and interactions with others.

A website that I found quite informative on alternative methods of communication, including Communication Boards, is  Augmentative and Alternative Communication

By enhancing a user’s ability to communicate, this device reduces the influence of occupational injustice as they have a greater ability to express their concerns and thoughts. Hence, their health, empowerment, and participation in daily life is not undermined (van Bruggen, 2010).

Here is a link to a video clip that discusses the use of Communication Boards in relation to children and learning. Children and Communication Boards 

References

Cook, A. M., & Hussey, S. M.  (1995).  Assistive technologies:  Principles and practice. 
          United States of America:  Mosby. 

Pain, H., & Pengelly, S.  (2010).  Assistive devices for enabling occupations.  In M. Curtin, M. Molineux, & J. Supyk-Mellson, (Eds.).  Occupational therapy and dysfunction:  Enabling occupation (6^th ed.) (pp. 453-468).  London:  Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. 

van Bruggen, H.  (2010).  Working towards inclusive communities.  In M. Curtin, M. Molineux, & J. Supyk-Mellson, (Eds.).  Occupational therapy and dysfunction:  Enabling occupation (6^th ed.) (pp. 297-312).  London:  Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.