Tony Gentry, PhD, OTR/L Assist Prof, Dept. of OT Assistive Technology for Cognition: Dir., AT for Cognition Lab Practical Applications in the World of Work VCU, Richmond, VA VCU ‐ RRTC [email protected] (804) 828‐2219
Assistive Technology for Cognition Laboratory Prevalence • Research • 20 million Americans (7%) are afflicted with cognitive • Development disability • Service • Yearly cost for support, care and • Training lost productivity: $140 billion (2001) • VCU Dept. of OT
Cognitive Rehabilitation 1980s Emerged and developed • Dawn of Cognitive alongside personal Rehabilitation computing • PlPersonal Remedial vs. computers Compensatory Approaches
1 Remedial Approaches 1990s • Brain‐Train products • Calls for ecologically valid research
• Nintendo’s “Brain Age” game for DS
• “Memory Works” simulation and training games
1990s 2000s
• Handheld compensatory • DktDesktop solutions computers as reminder systems & task‐sequencing • Distributed‐cognition coaches experiments
Functional Cognition Functional Cognition • Memory for names / faces, locales • Adapting to transitions & • Task Sequencing changes in routines
• Multi‐tasking • Dealing with frustration
• Dealing with Distractions • Impulsivity
• Remembering to do things (medications, appts)
2 Low-Tech Cognitive Aids Low-Tech Cognitive Aids
Low-Tech Cognitive Aids Ways PDAs Work for People with Cognitive Impairment
• Planning and organization
• Task sequencing
Ways PDAs Work for People Ways PDAs Work for People with Cognitive Impairment with Cognitive Impairment • Behavioral cueing • Way‐finding (GPS) • Wireless 2‐way • Behlhavioral cueing communication and transfer of information
3 Gilbertson at Work DRS-CNI-VCU Project
• Wake‐up, medication, cooking and • 50 participants catch‐the‐bus reminder alarms • Acquired Brain Injury or • Contact information
• Autism Spectrum Disorder • To Do list for daily work tasks • Can training in the use of a PDA improve • Pictorial directions to functional performance in everyday tasks? campus sites
Recapping Noah’s Uses • Reminder alarms linked to calendar
• Periodic vibrating alarm during tests
• IM with teachers (fellow students)
• Transfers homework to PDA from PC
Recapping Noah’s Uses Qualitative Themes • Beams assignments to/from • Gratitude: At last something instructor helped me!
• Game playing teaches adaptive strategies • Medication Management: I feel better!
• Photo album as emotional aid • Organization: I can keep track of my day, regained control over my life.
• Uses photos/memos to assist at grocery job • Self‐efficacy: Being able to do more makes me want to do more.
4 Initial Lessons I Learned • You can’t throw these things at people and run
• You have to provide long‐term follow‐along
• People with some pc experience adopt PDAs faster
• The “nag factor” is huge
Qualitative Support Organization
• “The most important thing is having someone understand what I was going through and then find a sol uti on for it.”
• “Thank you so much for giving me back my memory, even if it is now located in a Before somewhat different place!”
After
The Devices Handheld Computers
• PDAs • PDA watches • Pill‐box reminders • Low‐end laptops • Cell phones • Pagers
5 Handheld Computers Palm PDAs
• Zire series
• Higher end T series and Life Drive with wi‐fi
• Treo/Centrino cellphones
• Alphasmart Dana laptop
Basic Palm Functions MS Mobile/Pocket PC Devices • Calendar • Note Pad • To Do List – All with reminder alarms • Dell Axim series • Address list • Memo • HP iPAQ series • Backup to PC or Mac • Photo album • Audio playback/record • Many Smart cell • Wireless functions phones
Key Pocket PC functions Timex Data Link Watch
• Same as Palm • Type data on pc
• Media Player • Wear on wrist • Native MS Office • Cheap ($US50 to 100) • All have audio‐note function • Small readout • Nearly all add‐on disability software is written for Pocket PC
6 Camera & Video
• Name/Face Recognition • Where did I park? • Directional Prompts • Behavioral Cues • Step-by-step therapy routines • Photo Album
Stand‐alone GPS Good Smart Phone Choices • Pre‐loaded maps
• 2nd generation antenna sometimes works indoors • Apple iPhone
• Now map pedestrian • Palm Treo 700p routes
• Mp3 capable • Palm Centro
Hearing Impaired Vision‐Impaired
• RIM Blackberry • Parrot Voice‐Mate Organizer • Handspring Treo • $350
• Other wireless • Voice recognition & paging devices voice output
7 PEAT System
• Brainaid.com
• Simplified handheld software • Discovery Desktop • Schedule Assistant • DilDaily acti tiit“vity “scri it”pts” • Pocket Coach • Visual/audible cues • Visual Assistant • Downloadable to Pocket PC • Pocket Compass
• Can change plans as needed • Task Builder
Service Provider’s Role Service Provider’s Role
• Assess client needs, tasks & • Include in daily organization environment routine
• Learn the devices • Follow-up consults
• Determine best device for client • Gradually diminish supports
• Train client & caregiver
Resources
• www.vcu.edu/partnership/pda – Consortium for Handheld Technology site, VCU
• www.bbauaogiausa.org – Complete listing of electronic cognitive aids
• www.colemaninstitute.org – Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities, University of Colorado
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