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Age Space. (2022). A complete guide to assistive technology for the elderly. https://www.agespace.org/tech/assistive-technology

Assistive Technology Industry Association. (2022). What is AT? Assistive Technology Industry Association. https://www.atia.org/home/at-resources/what-is-at/

Brandon, D. (2020). Assistive devices and Technologies. https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/home-family-urban/assistive-devices-and-technologies/?cn-reloaded=1

Center for Parent Information and Resources. (2021). Considering assistive technology for students with disabilities. https://www.parentcenterhub.org/considering-at/#:~:text=Assistive%20technology%20enables%20children%20with,in%20the%20least%20restrictive%20environment.

Connecticut's Official State Website. (2022). Assistive technology for families. https://portal.ct.gov/DDS/General/AssistiveTechnology/Assistive-Technology-for-Families

eldercare. (2022). Assistive Technology. https://eldercare.acl.gov/public/resources/factsheets/assistive_technology.aspx#:~:text=Assistive%20technology%20(AT)%20is%20any,make%20sounds%20easier%20to%20hear

Family Center on Technology and Disability. (2012). FCTD | Assistive Technology 101. https://web.archive.org/web/20120917140937/http://www.fctd.info/factsheet/at101

Jansheski, G. (2022). Assistive technology and adaptive equipment for children with cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy Guidance. https://www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com/cerebral-palsy/living/assistive-technology/#:~:text=Better%20academic%20performance,child's%20needs%20as%20a%20result

Kevic, D., Accardi, L., Walsh, K., Aziz, W., McDowell, J., Thomas, A., Dodson, S., Green, S., Remache, R., De La Cruz, A.,  & Janisse, A. (2022). Assistive technology for kids with learning disabilities: An overview. Center on Technology and Disability https://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-kids-learning-disabilities-overview

Lohmann, M., Hovey, K., Gauvreau, A., & Higgins, J. (2019). Using assistive technology tools to support learning in the inclusive preschool classroom. The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship, 8(2). https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1231819.pdf

McNicholl A, Casey H, Desmond D, Gallagher P. (2021). The impact of assistive technology use for students with disabilities in higher education: a systematic review. Disability Rehabilitation Assistive Technology, 16(2):130-143. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2019.1642395.

Minnesota Guide to Assistive Technology. (2017). Definition of assistive technology. https://mn.gov/admin/at/services/definition/#:~:text=The%20federal%20definition%20of%20assistive,capabilities%20of%20individuals%20with%20disabilities

Miller, G. (2022). How to get assistive technology for your child in school. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/how-to-get-assistive-technology-for-your-child-in-school/#:~:text=If%20your%20child%20is%20struggling,that%20works%20best%20for%20them

Potts. (2013). Early intervention: Assistive technology for motor intervention. https://www.rifton.com/adaptive-mobility-blog/blog-posts/2013/november/assistive-technology-early-intervention

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2011). Illness & disability. https://web.archive.org/web/20120916081925/http://www.girlshealth.gov/disability/disbody/assist.cfm

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). What are some types of assistive devices and how are they used? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/rehabtech/conditioninfo/devices

Wikimedia Foundation. (2021). Assistive technology in sport. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology_in_sport

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Bathroom Handrail (Brandon, 2020). Older adults may often find that bathroom handrails may be needed to assist them in the shower and next to the toilet. 

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Wheelchair rugby players use wheelchairs with strong frames, foot protection and wheel covers, to prevent injury (Wikimedia Foundation, 2021).

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Wheelchair curling uses a specially adapted long stick to launch the "rock" down the ice (Wikimedia Foundation, 2021).

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A recumbent racing handcycle with a streamlined frame and thin road racing wheels (Wikimedia Foundation, 2021).

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Assistive technology enables participation in sports. With AT, more children and adults are involved in modified sports because of how assistive technology can assist them to play the sports they love.

Sports that use assistive technology:
Wheelchair tennis, wheelchair volleyball, quad rugby, extreme wheelchair sports, adaptive water sports, adaptive golf, and adaptive skiing and snowboarding, amongst many others.

Gears for sports include:
Light-weight wheelchairs for basketball, tennis, and racing.
Softballs that beep, so that people with vision problems can locate the ball to hit and catch it.
Cross-country sit skis that allow you to sit down and push yourself along the trail with tips that dig into the snow.

(Family Center on Technology and Disability, 2012)
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011)

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Assistive technology helps older adults perform activities that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.

Examples of assistive technology older adults use include:
Walker - this can help improve mobility.
Amplification device - this makes it easier for an older adult to hear.
Magnification glass - helps an individual with poor vision.
Scooters - can make it possible for older adults to travel over distances too far for them to walk.
(eldercare, 2022).

For older adults, forgetfulness is part of aging and is not just a symptom of dementia. Due to forgetfulness, there are many forms of assistive technology to assist older adults, such as memo readers, automatic pill dispensers, and many other devices.
(Age Space, 2022).

Additionally, as adults age, their ability to live independently may decrease. Many older adults prefer to age and live in place, but performing daily tasks become difficult. They need support to care for themselves, maintain mobility, maintain communication, and be safe overall. Assistive technology helps them improve and restore their confidence, self-respect, and independence. Examples of assistive technology that allow older adults to do this are self-care assistive technology and mobility assistive technologies.
Self-care assistive technologies include bathtub benches or boards, shower chairs, long-handled bathing sponges, zipper pulls, long-reach self or comfort wipes, etc. Mobility assistive technology devices help older adults get around more easily. This includes walking canes, activator poles, walkers, scooters, and stair elevators.
(Brandon, 2020).

In summary, assistive technology is any tool or service that aids someone in continued participation in daily activities. It allows many people, including older adults, to live independently without long-term nursing or home health care. Lastly, as previously stated, it is critical for some people to have the ability to do simple daily life activities, such as bathing.

(eldercare, 2022).

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Aging
Assistive technology makes a huge difference for aging adults between having the capability to live independently and having to get long-term nursing or home health care. For other adults, assistive technology is critical for their abilities to perform simple daily activities, including bathing and using the restroom.

Before buying assistive technology, the needs of older adults must be carefully evaluated. With AT, services that an aging adult requires may be affected by the way they are provided. Due to this, the process of needs assessment and planning is important for older adults and those who may help care for them.

(Connecticut's Official State Website, 2022).

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Assistive Technology Use During Different Stages of Life

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Assistive Technology Use During Different Stages of Life

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Adulthood
When working with a child with assistive technology needs, it is important to note that their need for AT will not end after high school. Assistive technology is used to help increase independence and improve functioning for post-secondary education, employment, and daily living. Due to the continued need for assistive technology throughout the lifetime, there are many adult service agencies that assist with assistive technology needs.

Additionally, it is important to know that depending on the state, employers must provide reasonable accommodations in the workplace to perform the job's essential functions, including assistive technology. An example of a state that requires this from employers is Connecticut.

(Connecticut's Official State Website, 2022).

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Assistive Technology Use During Different Stages of Life

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Assistive Technology Use During Different Stages of Life

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Transition Stage
The transition years are typically from middle school to high school and the adult world. During these years, demands increase as the children transition to different stages of their lives. This is also when children are expected to programmatically move from school to the adult world/community the more their education becomes real-life-based. The transition stage provides great educational opportunities, however, they bring challenges to these students in providing the necessary support needed by the individuals, including assistive technology.

In schools, when the child's team begins to develop the individual's transition plan, the individualized education plan (IEP) team for the child must include members who know different assistive technology options and knowledge of transition.

Comprehensive planning is necessary to meet the child's assistive technology needs while maximizing resources and avoiding duplication of assistive technology services and devices when transitioning from school to work or school to other post-secondary environments. Comprehensive planning should be involved in the child's IEP plan and considered when helping the child in transition phases.

(Connecticut's Official State Website, 2022).

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Lots of training needs to occur for the child and the entire team. The team includes the family, school, and anyone who works with the child to implement classwork or homework, all of which should be trained. Training should occur for everyone to know how to use the tools to best support the child.
(Miller, 2022).

There are many factors that AT users and officers should be aware of. This includes inadequate assistive technology training, inadequacies of devices, availability of external support, and the challenge of negotiating multiple information sources. All factors can hinder effective assistive technology use and restrict engagement in the higher education environment.
(McNicholl, Casey, Desmond, & Gallagher, 2021).

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Assistive Technology's Role in Play for Children

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Assistive Technology's Role in Play for Children

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Early childhood experts have discussed the importance of play for young children's growth and development. Play helps children's development by increasing learning and supporting the growth of social and communication skills of young children. However, for children who have disabilities, accessing play and social interactions can be challenging. Due to this challenge, it is recommended that preschoolers with disabilities that struggle with learning through play use assistive technology. The assistive technology would be used for communication, mobility, and independence and allow the children to continue learning through play.

(Lohmann, Hovey, Gauvreau, & Higgins, 2019).

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Quote from Mark Surabian on Influence of AT on Children

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Quote from Mark Surabian on Influence of AT on Children

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"Assistive technology introduces alternative paths to education, which is a profound thing for a little kid to understand. When a kid learns that they can use technology for something that's hard, they learn there's more than one way to do something. So, if the typical way of something doesn't play out for them, they can immediately access an alternative set of skills."

Mark Surabian is the director of ATHelp, an assistive technology support program at the JCC in Manhattan, and at ATTrain, which provides training for Assistive Technology.

(Miller, 2022).

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More Benefits of Assistive Technology Usage for Children

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More Benefits of Assistive Technology Usage for Children

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An excellent way for children with any form of disability or developmental delay to increase their confidence and ability quickly is through assistive technology. Assistive technology is seen as a way to solve a problem, so after beginning to use AT, progress can be seen relatively quickly, and over time, success should always be seen little by little.
(Miller, 2022)

More benefits include:
Better academic performance
A more engaged social life
More inclusion in activities and recreation
Improved communication with others and, as a result, better response to the child's needs.
Increased self-confidence
More independence and self-support
For some children, it increases their ability to express emotions.
And overall, more opportunities are presented with the presence of assistive devices.
(Jansheski, 2022).

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At What Age Should Children Start Using Assistive Technology?

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At What Age Should Children Start Using Assistive Technology?

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It is important for children to start using AT as soon as they begin to struggle in any developmental area.

Very young children: Many very young children will use low-tech equipment.
An example is if a child in preschool is struggling with their motor skills, such as zipping a jacket, attaching a grip to the zipper can make it easier for the child to grab.
Another example is noise-canceling headphones for homework or a quiet fidget toy in class to help them stay focused.

High-tech examples in preschools:
Apps that help children speak, programs that teach how to count or teach the alphabet, and interactive books.

(Miller, 2022).

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Assistive technology is used by infants, toddlers, children, and adults to help them move, communicate, work, learn, and socialize. For most people, over the years, their assistive technology will change over time as the individual continues to grow and develop physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

(Kevic, Accardi, Walsh, Aziz, McDowell, Thomas, Dodson, Green, Remache, De La Cruz & Janisse, 2022).

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Benefits of Children Using Assistive Technology

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Benefits of Children Using Assistive Technology 

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Benefits of Children Using Assistive Technology 

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Participate more fully in all aspects of their lives, including home, school, and the community.

With AT, children can receive public education in the least restrictive environment. Assistive technology helps children in school benefit from the general education curriculum and participate in extracurricular activities in all environments.

This then helps children become prepared for future employment and to have the potential for not just any employment but meaningful employment.
(Center for Parent Information and Resources, 2021).

Assistive technology promotes psychological, educational, and social benefits. Also, it enables academic engagement and social participation.

AT will facilitate inclusion and reduce stigma in schools for all students.
(McNicholl, A., Casey, H., Desmond, D., Gallagher, P., 2021).

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Benefits of Children Using Assistive Technology

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Autism spectrum disorders
Blindness and low vision
Deafness and hard of hearing
Mobility impairment
Communication disorders
Cognitive disabilities
Learning disabilities

(Assistive Technology Industry Association, 2022)

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The Usage of Assistive Technology in Children and Older Adults

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The Usage of Assistive Technology in Children and Older Adults

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BY: Maggie Buechler

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Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, product system, or software program used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of an individual with a disability; it helps perform a task.

(Assistive Technology Industry Association, 2022). (Minnesota Guide to Assistive Technology, 2017).

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Low-tech: communication boards
High-tech: special-purpose computers
Hardware: prosthetics and positioning devices
Computer hardware/software: special keyboards and screen readers
Mobility aids: wheelchairs, scooters, canes, etc.
Cognitive aids: assistive devices to help with memory, attention, or other challenges in their thinking skills.
Physical modifications in the environment: ramps, grab bars, etc.
Lightweight, high-performance mobility devices allow people with disabilities to play sports and remain physically active.
Inclusive or specialized learning materials and curriculum aids.
Others: Automatic page-turners, book holders, adaptive pencil grips, adaptive switches, and utensils. (Examples of low-tech)

(Assistive Technology Industry Association, 2022). (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018).