Digital Resource: Assistive Technology by Megan Macchione https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s For OTAs and OTs in clinicals and in practice en-us 2022-07-28 20:52:18 UTC 2025-12-16 23:19:15 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f5a5.png Children & Youth: mmacchione1901 https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251371949
The role of OT is to assist caregivers such as teachers, aides, and parents of children with physical and developmental delays. OT can train children and caregivers on use of AT (both high and low tech) that can be utilized in daily occupations such as school, play, feeding, and dressing. improve engagement in the classroom, at home, or in the community. Different types of AT are utilized for different purposes; such as increasing mobility, fine motor skills, attention and participation, and gross motor coordination.

High Tech Devices:
- power wheelchairs
- mouth sticks
- eye gaze devices
- apps to increase focus and attention
- work prediction
- calculators 

Low Tech Devices:
- loop scissors
- pencil grips
- wobble stools
- thick writing utensils
- modified utensils and drinking cups 

Resources:
https://www.ldatschool.ca/assistive-technology/

https://specialsupplies.com/mini-loop-scissors-for-teens-and-adults-5-5-inches-6-pack?gclid=Cj0KCQjw54iXBhCXARIsADWpsG_d7gW1wx8IzVyhM4GO1KHEZHtH9cSnPgKqYOBvOZkYVNSDyeFiWS4aAt7pEALw_wcB

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s0d61a9Thww


]]> 2022-07-28 20:57:24 UTC https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251371949 Productive Aging: mmacchione1901 https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251372226 The role of OT is to promote safety in aging adults and their caregivers such as children or hired help. Focus is on safety within the home and mobility as needed. Clients experience difficulties and barriers which are unique based on diagnosis as they age. OT is responsible for training clients and their caregivers on the benefits and use of adaptive tech that can assist with difficulty such as memory loss, balance, decreased fine motor skills, and limitations in range of motion.

High Tech Devices:
- modified remote controls
- timers
- hearing aids
- appliances that automatically turn off
- life alert
- clap on/off lights

Low Tech Devices:
- magnifying glass
- jar lid gripper
- pill organizer
- shoe horn
- reacher

Resources:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XIgR_rJs9aM

http://idahoat.org/Portals/60/Documents/Services/Resources/AT_OlderPersonsHandbook.pdf




]]> 2022-07-28 20:58:34 UTC https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251372226 Mental Health: mmacchione1901 https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251372288 The role of OT within this population is to increase clients ability to cope with current mental health challenges and prevent further mental health challenges. The OT can work with the individual client to assess how poor mental health is currently serving as a barrier to engaging in meaningful activity on a daily basis. The OT can then promote the use of AT as appropriate to make engaging in theses tasks easier and enjoyable. 

High Tech Devices:
- Headspace (App for guided meditation)
- Sancello (App for coping with anxiety, stress, and depression)
- Spotify (App for listening to favorite music)
- Google Keep (App for reminders such as taking medications)
- Mantra (App for daily positive affirmations)

Low Tech  Devices:
- fidget devices
- stress ball
- journal
- planner/calendar
- essential oils

Resources:
Fung, T., Lau, B., Ngai, S., & Tsang, H. (2021). Therapeutic Effect and Mechanisms of Essential Oils in Mood Disorders: Interaction between the Nervous and Respiratory Systems. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(9), 4844. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22094844

https://www.headspace.com/?utm_source=Google%20AdWords&utm_medium=paid%20advertising&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA71Qy27CMBD8GudG4jwhlawqL1oIj4KqlvYSmdjNAxNbcYqBr29CJc49dbWXndnVzE7ZdUI%2BGEZJMZEC53Sk6F7HQuisag4GNbCQs4nP5YrsH4Hl2ALhrOC8YDTDRPGWSK2HMVP4IjNCqRju0BdmkmpMfLcMlYMEsANgTftWSul3MT3nR2BPi5zJNgd2jJVOJLC8Yt%2FiivQADIaKF6yZQ%2FjhPKUZf4ncXdyYIVPxrIi3GhgnmGSSdllFkDeBnmuZvgmtgcjxUeCqaAaqB33H9m3HvDElbhrKUDEMB3oZPkF3X9qvAfQH%2Bd57vxjVKo2CWrWf611YBlFSqQAmfBuby3laL89pOILO4nlz3h3ccQdpej3mQXgqBb2%2BJetX1XqryRRWNbMsl4c8mr3zTXCKs1Al%2F6PQ549u6f8AAOqcERECAAA%3D&%243p=a_google_adwords&%24always_deeplink=false&lpurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.headspace.com%3Fgclsrc%3Daw.ds%26gbraid%3D0AAAAADLlnJ00Y4GK_oPC5XDn1BlwDIgDR&~ad_set_id=68065219102&~campaign_id=1919439341&~channel=g&~keyword=headspace&~placement&gbraid=0AAAAADLlnJ00Y4GK_oPC5XDn1BlwDIgDR&gclid=CjwKCAjwrZOXBhACEiwA0EoRD1MJKjMxKB-04LHQxXk57t0eKzmcABvhpezVEOTwr6N8F0ijl225oBoCIWoQAvD_BwE&gclid=CjwKCAjwrZOXBhACEiwA0EoRD1MJKjMxKB-04LHQxXk57t0eKzmcABvhpezVEOTwr6N8F0ijl225oBoCIWoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&%24web_only=true&_branch_match_id=1081956421612286771

]]> 2022-07-28 20:58:52 UTC https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251372288 Rehabilitation & Disability: mmacchione1901 https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251372459 The role of OT and the use of technology with rehabilitation and disability is to introduce, educate, and train clients. OTs will recommend assistive tech devices that can be utilized to promote safety and independence when completing every day tasks. During a time of rehabilitation post surgery or injury, a therapist is responsible for preventing further injury and protection of current injuries. AT is utilized in rehabilitation and injury in cases such as post joint replacements and accidents.


High Tech Devices: 
- power wheelchair
- Saebo
- hearing aid
- hand controls for driving a car
- full electric hospital bed

Low Tech Devices:
- cane, walker, manual wheelchair
- button hook
- built up handles
- arm splint
- TLSO brace
- splint (such as thumb spica)

Resources:

https://expresshospitalbeds.com/products/medline-medlite-full-electric-hospital-bed-set?currency=USD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw54iXBhCXARIsADWpsG_5eWV8agoi5Q7JQfzlDo1ef74b1KRKvxJ4Y-y5L9jNSxdB-UtO4koaAltWEALw_wcB

McNaught, H., Jones, T., Immins, T., & Wainwright, T. W. (2016). Patient-reported importance of assistive devices in hip and knee replacement Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) pathways. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79(10), 614–619. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308022616656194

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xTxFuaPTKeY





]]> 2022-07-28 20:59:35 UTC https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251372459 Health & Wellness: mmacchione1901 https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251372537 The role of OT is to improve a clients ability to engage in   everyday activities of interest in order to improve overall well-being. An OTs role with AT when it comes to health and wellness is to increase clients awareness and ability to access affordable AT to increase health and wellness when it comes to their daily routines and habits. Examples would be to increase nutrition, sleep, and leisure.

High Tech Devices:
- My Fitness pal (app to track calorie intake and activity)
- Fitbit (device for fitness tracking)
- Sleepon (device for tracking sleep patterns)
- Lumonsity (app for brain games)
- Upright (improves posture and spinal alignment)

Low Tech Devices:
- pillows for positioning
- planner
- food log
- exercise ball
- kinesio tape


Resources:
https://store.uprightpose.com/products/upright-go-s?gclid=CjwKCAjwrZOXBhACEiwA0EoRDw2GQeVY94DQx5laeVgVNLuTwvndT5Q2MtuMaOPV-4GiIgh5sxgM1xoCre4QAvD_BwE


https://shop.sleepon.us/products/go2sleep-ai-powered-device-for-restful-sleep?gclid=CjwKCAjwrZOXBhACEiwA0EoRD7D-iimUurBZMKgFO7NeDtpDGIvgBhS12AJOHGQ4zxnWmVW5a1LVOBoCcE0QAvD_BwE





]]> 2022-07-28 20:59:56 UTC https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251372537 Work & Industry: mmacchione1901 https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251372667 The role of OT is to look at the clients job/role within their unique workplace to assess the barriers which exist and decide how AT can be utilized. The OT is responsible for recommending AT which can make the day to day job easier, safer, less stressful, and reduce or prevent injury. This is unique to each client such as an office job, outdoor job, or factory type job.

High Tech Devices:
- battery/power operated mechanical lifts 
- talk to text software for meetings
- amplified telephone
- phone with captioning
- ramps in place of stairs

Low Tech Devices:
- screen clips
- standing desk
- modified hand tools
- color coding for organization 
- seat cushions

Resources:
Joss, M. (2007). The Importance of Job Analysis in Occupational Therapy. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(7), 301–303. https://doi.org/10.1177/030802260707000705

https://www.ava.me/




]]> 2022-07-28 21:00:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251372667 Advocacy & Research: mmacchione1901 https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251372760 The role of OT is to educate clients and promote/assist with advocacy. Clients are assisted by OTs in learning about  resources and opportunities which exist in order to increase their ability to engage in daily activities and roles. The role of OT when it comes to AT is to introduce clients to support groups, organizations, charities, and possibly funding that exists in relation to their personal condition, diagnosis, or unique situation. 

High Tech Devices:
-computers and tablets
-research data bases (such as EBSCO)
-blog posts
-virtual groups for individuals with like diagnoses (such as facebook groups)
-groups for donated AT

Low Tech Devices:
-informational books
-pamphlets for local organizations
-free library membership
-donations/charity events

Resources:
https://www.cidny.org/

https://www.startearly.org/app/uploads/pdf/EarlyChildhoodAdvocacyToolkit.pdf



]]> 2022-07-28 21:00:49 UTC https://padlet.com/mmacchione1901/8au40bk1yq8hvm1s/wish/2251372760