Assistive Technologies, Adaptations, and Environmental Modifications
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
Assignment 2 Introduction
This
series of 15 entries are about various types of assistive
technologies, their purpose and the population they aim to serve.
Furthermore, more detailed information will be provided about each
device or service such as where can the product will assessed, the cost,
how it is used, manufacturer information (if applicable), and pros and
cons. The aim of this assignment is to list various AT devices and
provide the logistics and resources to possible users and/or ATPs for
easier device selection and implementation.
Below is a video overview about different types of Assistive Technologies and their benefit
Children with Autism have an especially difficult time with transitions, switching from one task or activity to another might result in a nightmare. This book is a great tool to visually show and motivate children to stay on task and smoothly transition. From Good Morning to Circle Time to
Clean-Up, every part of the day is addressed with appropriate,
imaginative activities. With more than 400 easy-to-use transition
activities and ideas, parents and teachers can use Transition Time to move children
smoothly through the day, week, month and year. 288 pages.
These type of books help all children, but especially those with autism to stay on task. Most children struggle with transitions such as getting dressed, bath time and bed time.
This book is priced at $20.95 and is sold through Specialty School INC. and can be ordered through their catalog by visiting: https://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?section=95883&minisite=10206&item=495019
Or ordering by phone: 1(888) 388-3224
These type of books however, can be custom made for each child at a very low price. There are reported best results when the pictures in the book are actually those of the child and their environment. Below is a mother's testimonial of transition time books and how they have helped her daughter with her transitions.
CREDITS:
Autistic Living Mini Task Books [Web]. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSDRYSO6oUI
Specialty School: Transition Time Book.
(2012). Retrieved from
https://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?section=95883&minisite=10206&item=495019
Good Grip Utensils are a great solution for persons with arthritis, stroke, or other neurological impairments when bending the wrist, grasping, or other eating motions become difficult and even painful. Good
Grips easy-to-hold cutlery handles are made of soft, rubber-like
material with flexible ribbing that is comfortable, secure, and adapts
to any grip. Each stainless steel spoon and fork has a special twist
built into the bendable metal shaft that allows them to be adjusted to
any angle. The rocker knife helps to decrease wrist strain and requires
only minimal arm strength for cutting. Works for left or right handed
people. Good Grips are dishwasher safe. For extra help
holding Good Grips Utensils check out the Good Grips Holding
Strap.
Good Grips also come as weighted sets, the extra 6 oz. of weight in the built-up handle provides more control
for persons with limited hand control, Parkinson's, or spasticity. The weight helps with the uncontrolled movements and resting tremors that the disease is know for. Price for Weighted Utensils- $10-95 each utensil, $38.80 the whole set
Price for Standard Good Grips: Fork- $9.95
Rocker Knife- $9.95
Teaspoon- $9.95
Tablespoon- $9.95
Buy the Whole Set and Save $5 ($34.80)
Distributed by Disability Products.
To Order Online visit: http://www.disabilityproducts.com/cgi-bin/disabilityproducts.cgi/scan/fi=products/st=db/co=1/sf=additional_categories/se=Eating%20%26%20Drinking%20Aids/op=rm/nu=0/ml=50/tf=description/to=x.html?mv_session_id=QeQRM3jB&mv_pc=5&header=Eating%20%26%20Drinking%20Aids
The AmeriGlide Vesta has a durable rack and design that
delivers smooth, safe transit up and down your stairway and requires
minimal maintenance on your part. The
AmeriGlide Vesta represents a new generation of stair lifts that will
enable mobility-impaired homeowners to continue aging in place and
retain their independence in multi-level houses for years to come. This modification can be done to any stair case to help those who are non-ambulatory and who have fall risks, coordination and balance problems, lower extremity amputees, as well as those individuals with degenerative diseases.
The AmeriGlide Vesta can hold up at 300 pounds, to accommodate users of nearly any size. It also has adjustable arms that let you set the clearance width from 18 to 21 inches. The 0.5 horsepower, 24-volt DC motor is reliable and strong and provides a smooth ride. The batteries can charge anywhere along the track and also works with any standard 110-volt AC power outlet. It has comfortable foot rests and a set belt for safety. It has a 10 year warranty as well.This system can be mounted and installed in mostly any home, however, an expert should do a home consultation prior to purchasing this system for better results.
Price is: $ 1,875 plus shipping
Manufacturer and Distributor: AmeriGlide
To Order Online: http://www.ameriglide.com/item/AmeriGlide-SL-VESTA.html
To Order by Phone: 1 (800) 987-6308
7am-Midnight / 7 Days a Week
Overview Video
CREDITS:
AmeriGlide
[Web]. (2011). Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/user/AmeriGlide?v=A4epccpSLFU&feature=pyv&ad=7397016025&kw=+stair
+lifts
AmeriGlide: Vesta Stair Lift. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.ameriglide.com/item/AmeriGlide-SL-VESTA.html
This simple, no technology device can be home made or made in the clinic to aid those with degenerative diseases and limited hand strength and coordination such as ALS, MS, and Parkinson's to continue writing. This can also help individuals with Parkinson's Disease with micrographia by correcting the grip and focusing on the size of the letters. The Pen Grip can also be used by children who are learning to write to help them to maintain the proper pencil grip and fingers in the correct place. Also, with today's technological advances, the Pen Grip can be used on a stylus for an iPad or any touchscreen device.
The Pengrip provides the extra strength between thumb and
forefinger to hold the pen in place to help write
well. The grip is made from a 1/4" strip of splint plastic that becomes
pliable when heated in near boiling water and is available at medical
supply stores. Each grip will need to be
custom shaped by trial and error, depending on the persons gripping
style and strength. Each arm of the grip comes around just far enough to
provide a solid grasp of the finger or thumb but still allows the
person to put it on and remove it without help.
Patient with ALS using the Pen Grip
Because this device is custom made, it could be made at home, or at the clinic, at a relatively low price.
CREDITS:
Jeary, S. (2009). Workshop solutions: The pen grip. Retrieved from http://www.workshopsolutions.com/COMPLETE/pengrip.htm
Pour Thing dispenses beverages without putting stress on your hands or shoulders.
Just place the bottle or jug into the cradle and tilt forward. Pour
Thing fits on a shelf in your refrigerator. Great for those with upper extremity
weakness/shoulder/hand, arthritis, and coordination problems. If you find it difficult to lift and pour large soda, juice or milk gallons,
Pour Thing is a very convenient system for dispensing beverages without
putting stress on your hands or shoulders. Pour Thing is also great for children who might not be strong enough to lift up heavy bottles and pour their own drinks. Regardless of age, this device aims to provide independence in pouring drinks, whether it be water, juice, milk, soda, etc. The design is not too bulky but does take up more room in the refrigerator than just a gallon or bottle.
Inventor: John D. Straub, 9643 Russell,
Northville, MI 48167
Phone: (248) 446-0206
E-mail: buartsj@aol.com
Distributor: Gold Violin: Helpful Products for Independent Living
Price: $18-$20
To Order Online: http://www.goldviolin.com/Pour-Thing-p/93206fl.htm
To Order by Phone: 1(877)-648-8400
CREDITS:
GOLD VIOLIN. (2012). Gold Violin: Helpful products for independent living: Pour Thing. Retrieved from http://www.goldviolin.com/Pour-Thing-p/93206fl.htm
Market Launchers: Pour Thing. (2004). Retrieved from http://www.marketlaunchers.com/straub.html
