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A New Treatment Paradigm
Technology has slowly crept into our professional and personal lives. Assistive technology (AT) has become an integral part of this evolution and is gaining increased acceptance in the delivery of rehabilitation and special education services. We are in the midst of a paradigm shift involving our approach to helping others to improve their communication and cognition. This change is a process, not a one-time event. It is a new vision that our professions must embrace in order to provide the highest level of care possible. Educational and healthcare systems are struggling to balance the delivery of quality services with increasing costs. With the use of the strategies and technologies demonstrated in this guide, clinicians become empowered to revolutionize treatment delivery to people of all ages with a wide range of communication and cognitive challenges.
The use of computers in therapy first appeared in the late '70s with the advent of microcomputers. Word processors gradually replaced typewriters. The primary function of computer use with clients was for word processing. In the '80s, computer use in therapy progressed to the use of drill-and-practice exercises that closely resembled workbook activities but provided instant feedback. This feedback facilitated the learning process. The '90s ushered in easier access to the Internet and more sophisticated software programs with voice output, the ability to customize options in programs for clients, and more interesting and interactive software. Treatment started to incorporate the use of email and websites for reading practice, research, and promotion of self-advocacy.
We are now in the midst of a second technology transformation that offers us even greater opportunities to help our clients. This new technology enables us to advance even further in helping people of all ages who have communication and cognitive challenges. We have reached a pivotal point and need to change our mindset from using only traditional treatment to prioritizing the establishment of sustained efforts to integrate technology into our services.
Help for the Disabled
People challenged by disabilities can benefit from technology in many aspects of their lives. Computers and other devices, when selected and used with the help of a skilled clinician, can help improve communication and cognitive skills related to education, employment, recreation, and social and medical needs. AT can help individuals increase independence, build self-confidence and self-esteem, and improve quality of life.
Better, more affordable technology holds great promise for individuals with disabilities. Some professionals have welcomed this development of new resources to help others with open arms, some have avoided, resisted or ignored these helpful tools, and others are unaware that new and exciting treatment opportunities exist. Children and adults with a broad range of difficulties resulting from strokes, head injuries, degenerative diseases, developmental delays and disorders and learning differences can independently handle a wider range of activities with the help of software and devices to read, write, organize, remember, learn, communicate, and search for information.
Disabilities Hinder an Individual's Ability to Benefit from Mainstream Computer Use
Communication and cognitive deficits create obstacles to computer use. As technology becomes even more important to mainstream society, people who do not have ready access to a computer or the Internet and are not exposed to support from skilled professionals will be at an increasing disadvantage.
It may be difficult for individuals with communication and cognitive challenges to:
- Provide computer input with movement of a mouse or typing on the keyboard
- Read and interpret information on the monitor
- Sequence and analyze procedures needed to use software applications
- Use email to obtain information and interact socially
- Surf the Web
The Need for Professionals to Learn to Use Technology
Professionals who want to deliver top-quality therapy need to learn to integrate technology into treatment. A significant number of schools, rehabilitation centers, and private practices have already purchased computers, but many clinicians do not know how to use the technology as an effective therapy tool. Early efforts toward the use of computers in therapy concentrated on setting up the infrastructure, the hardware, software, and networking, which has become more affordable. As further hardware developments occur with wireless labs, faster computer processors, increased storage capacity, and improved web applications, an emphasis needs to be placed on training clinicians to creatively use these tools to promote improved outcomes.
This professionally oriented guide is designed for clinicians who strive to be current and maximize the effectiveness of their work. It has been extensively peer reviewed by a wide variety of specialists who work in many different settings. This new therapy approach, with the strategies and tools presented in the following chapters, can make a tremendous difference and act as a catalyst for progress.
Appropriately selected materials can:
- Save time
- Motivate clients
- Make the clinician's work easier
- Support unique learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds
- Facilitate positive outcomes
- Streamline data collection
- Provide opportunities to objectively document change over time
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