Sonya Van Horn, M.S., ATP AT Consultant: North Carolina Assistive Technology Program

Sonya Van Horn, M.S.
, ATP
AT Consultant
North Carolina Assistive Technology Program
North Carolina
Assistive Technology Program
•State & federally funded
•No charge to persons with disabilities and families
•Programs that are required by law to provide assistive
technology services must reimburse us for our services
•Vocational Rehabilitation
•Independent Living
•Veteran’s Administration
•Public School Systems
•CAP-MR/DD
NCATP
Eligibility provides AT
services to
individuals of
all ages,
all disabilities,
their families
and service
providers.
Services
Advocacy
Consultation
Equipment
Demonstration
Education and
Training
Equipment Loan
Information and
Referral
Technical Assistance
Technical Services
Program
Development
Sylva
ATRC
Sylva
ATRC
Sylva
ATRC
Sylva
ATRC
Sylva
ATRC
What Is Assistive
Technology? Any piece of
equipment that
is used to
increase the
independence
of an individual
with a disability.
Technology=Tools=Power
Assistive technology
is connecting the
world quickly and
easily in previously
unimaginable ways,
especially through
the Internet and e-
mail. Many of these
advances have been
lifesavers for people
with disabilities.
Technology choice depends on
type and severity of aphasia
• Receptive
– Difficulty understanding spoken language
– Difficulty understanding text
• Expressive
– Difficulty speaking
Most Common Types of Assistive Technology
Used by Persons with Aphasia
• Computer-based Treatment Systems

• Augmentative Communication
• Computer Access
• Reading Aids
Computer-based Treatment Systems
Computer-based treatment systems consist of
a regular desktop or laptop computer
equipped with specialized software programs.
The software programs may be used by the
person with aphasia independently or may be
used as an adjunct to weekly therapy
sessions with a speech-language pathologist
or other rehabilitation professional.
.
Knowing whether or not a computer will be
helpful in home therapy is a complex
decision. It requires detailed knowledge of
the user's language capabilities plus a
familiarity with the software and hardware
options. How do you pick software that
targets the skills that need to be
strengthened? How do you know that the
difficulty level is not too high and not too
low? A speech language pathologist and/or
an assistive technology consultant can help
you find answers.
Research demonstrates that specific
problems may be improved with
computerized treatment approaches.
For example:
Computerized reading treatment has
been shown to improve the
language performance of people with
aphasia on reading tasks that were
not computer based.
People report benefits that come from
“exercising” their brain and practicing
skills on a daily basis with the
nonjudgmental, immediate feedback a
computer can provide.
To find out whether you might benefit from a
computer-based treatment system, you need first
to determine your particular goals. A
speechlanguage pathologist can help you define
goals and identify appropriate software tools.
There are programs designed to help with:
auditory comprehension
reading comprehension
writing
word-finding
cognitive skills, such as attention,
memory and problem solving
Software for At-home Language Practice
• MossTalk Words
• Parrot Software
• Lingraphica
A symbol-based communication system,
in combination with a daily training
program, has been shown to improve
natural language production in people
with severe aphasia
Augmentative Communication Systems
• These systems help people with speech or
language disorders function better in daily
life. They may look like portable “talking
boxes” or may consist of software that is
used on a desktop or laptop computer.
• Augmentative and alternative communication
systems can enhance the speech and writing
of people with significant speech and
language difficulties.
• A wide variety of alternative communication
options exist:
– voice-output devices that come in many shapes
and sizes
– word-prediction software that “guesses” what you
are trying to type
– programs that read the text on the screen out
loud
• Alternative communication systems may also
be called “speech-generating devices” and
are covered by Medicare and many other
insurance
• Can be a low tech device (such as an
alphabet board) or a very high tech
device (such as a computer driven by
the eye gaze of its user). The critical
thing is to match the communication
needs and abilities of the user to the
right device.
The American Speech/Language and Hearing Association
(ASHA) has produced a booklet to outline the process for
deciding when an augmentative communication device would
be helpful in enhancing communication. For a free copy of
"Augmentative Communication for Consumers", contact
the
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association:
ASHA
Consumer Information
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 800-638-8255 or 301-987-5700
http://www.asha.org/
Low Tech Symbol

Systems
Recorded Voice
Systems
Text-based
Systems
Dedicated Digitized
Voice Systems
Computer-based
Systems
Computer Access
• Alternative keyboards
• Alternative mice
• trackballs
• eye gaze systems
• head mouse
• foot mouse
• Word predicting
programs
Reading Pens
• Are shaped like a pocket-sized pen with a
display screen and buttons. Users scan
printed text with the small optical scanner in
the tip of the pen, and the device translates,
defines, reads aloud, or stores the text quickly
and accurately – anytime and anywhere.
• Reading pens can:
– Define and translate scanned everyday words,
phrases, and professional terms into any of 25
languages
– Read scanned words aloud
– Store scanned text and transfer it to a PC or
handheld device (online or later)
– Use special display and audio features to help
people with special needs (such as dyslexia,
aphasia, and literacy issues)
Funding Resources
• Public schools, private schools, Head Start
• CSHS/Medicaid
• CAP MR/DD
• Birth to Three AT Funds
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Independent Living
• Private health insurance (DME)
• Disability organizations (Easter Seals, UCPA)
• Service organizations (Lions, Masons, Elks)
• Private organizations
• Self-pay/low interest loans
Funding Process
Determine the need.

Determine the device or assistive
technology needed.
Determine available funding resources.
Gather all essential information.
Get funding authorization approval.
Seek co-payment sources.
Seek appeals as appropriate.
NCATP
Funding Specialist
Annette Lauber
919-850-2787
Staff
Sonya Van Horn, M.S.,
ATP
AT Consultant
Mary Kay Dulin, B.S.

Computer Access
• Provide access to internet
information resources
• Increase employment
options
• Increase educational
opportunities
• Increase communication
with the world
Job
Accommodation
• Increase
employment
options
• Provide
compensation for
sensory deficits
Activities of
Daily Living
• Increase
independence
• Improve safety
• Decrease risk of
injury to care
providers
Vehicle
Modifications
• Provide
community
access
Recreation
• Increase
access to
recreational
opportuniti
es
• "Computers Made Easy: A guide to computer solutions for
• individuals with disabilities and their caregivers." Ruth Bluestone
• ©2000. This practical guide will answer important questions related
• to the use of computers by individuals with disabilities, specifically
• those with communication and/or cognitive problems. Its goal is to
• help individuals with disabilities, the professionals who treat them,
• and family members find hardware and software solutions to meet
• the individual needs and to enhance the quality of lives of
• individuals with disabilities. Cost 22.50USD (includes shipping and
• handling). To order, call Ruth Bluestone at 508-238-6015 or email
• [email protected] for more information.

Sonya Van Horn, M.S., ATP AT Consultant: North Carolina Assistive Technology Program

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sonya Van Horn, M.S., ATP AT Consultant: North Carolina Assistive Technology Program

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sonya Van Horn, M.S., ATP AT Consultant: North Carolina Assistive Technology Program

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sonya Van Horn, M.S.

• Computer-based Treatment Systems

Low Tech Symbol

Determine the need.

Mary Kay Dulin, B.S.

You might also like