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Assistive Technology

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Handbook of Positive Psychology in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Child and Family Studies ((SSCFS))

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of intervention programs based on the use of assistive technology to help persons with severe/profound and multiple disabilities develop self-determination and adaptive responding so as to improve their condition, self-fulfillment, and social image. Specifically, the chapter focuses on (a) microswitch-based programs to help persons acquire/strengthen small responses to connect with their immediate environment, (b) microswitch-aided programs to help persons develop assisted-ambulation responses, (c) microswitch-aided programs to help persons increase adaptive responses and curb problem behaviors or incorrect postures, (d) programs based on the use of speech-generating devices to promote communication (requests) and related engagement, (e) programs based on technology packages providing orientation cues and stimulation to promote basic activity or assembly-task engagement and mobility, and (f) programs based on technology packages to promote contact/communication with distant partners. All the aforementioned types of programs and related technology solutions are illustrated in the chapter through detailed summaries of relevant studies published in scientific journals. The final part of the chapter presents general considerations about the studies (programs and related technologies) reviewed, analyzes the implications of the studies and their outcomes for daily contexts, and envisages some new, possible developments in the area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Corso Italia 23, 70121, Bari, Italy

    Giulio E. Lancioni

  2. Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA

    Nirbhay N. Singh

  3. Department of Special Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Mark F. O’Reilly

  4. School of Educational Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    Jeff Sigafoos

  5. Lega F. D’Oro Research Center, Osimo, Italy

    Francesca Campodonico & Gloria Alberti

Authors
  1. Giulio E. Lancioni
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  2. Nirbhay N. Singh
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  3. Mark F. O’Reilly
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  4. Jeff Sigafoos
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  5. Francesca Campodonico
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  6. Gloria Alberti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giulio E. Lancioni .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Special Education, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

    Karrie A. Shogren

  2. Department of Special Education, Beach Center on Disability, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

    Michael L. Wehmeyer

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA

    Nirbhay N. Singh

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Lancioni, G.E., Singh, N.N., O’Reilly, M.F., Sigafoos, J., Campodonico, F., Alberti, G. (2017). Assistive Technology. In: Shogren, K., Wehmeyer, M., Singh, N. (eds) Handbook of Positive Psychology in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Springer Series on Child and Family Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59066-0_18

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