The use of computers and augmentative and alternative communication devices by children and young with cerebral palsy

[Abstract] The purpose of the study was to determine the use of computers and assistive devices amongst children with cerebral palsy (CP) and establish the satisfaction level of both users and educational staff. The study was carried out with 30 children with cerebral palsy. A questionnaire was designed to characterize the use of new technologies and assistive devices. Some of the questions were reserved for the teachers. Even though 29 users show some type of communication difficulty, only 4 users dispose of a computer-aided communication device, with the static symbolic board being the most widely used device (4). More than half of the participants (17) regularly use a computer, 16 of them requiring some type of assistive device. The perception of the teachers with regard to the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in the classrooms is positive in 5 out of 6 cases. ICTs only provide assistance if their application is accompanied by the involvement of professionals and the child's social environment. The low use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication techniques along with the absence of communication codes reveal the need to establish training protocols. The inclusion of social, physical, and personal factors is considered essential in order to evaluate the needs for assistive technology

Speech therapy students’ attitudes to the use of ICTs in speech therapy practice

The article presents research results on the possibility of using ICTs in a speech therapist’s practice. The results of the study show that students have changed their view of the place of ICTs in speech therapy. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed their attitudes towards ICTs. For them, this crisis has become an opportunity for the development of their own skills to use ICTs in their future professional work

Outlook Magazine, Winter 2012

https://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/outlook/1188/thumbnail.jp

Language Assessment for School-aged Children: Examining the Evidence and Describing Clinical Practice

Accurate speech-language pathology assessment is vital for determining the intervention needs of children with language disorders. This thesis investigated research evidence in relation to language assessment practices for school-aged children. Consensus on terminology for describing assessments was obtained and current language assessment practices were examined to identify actions to help improve speech-language pathologist’s implementation of evidence-based practice recommendations. Information gained from this thesis will assist with enhancing service provision for school-aged children with language disorders

DIY networking as a facilitator for interdisciplinary research on the hybrid city

DIY networking is a technology with special characteristics compared to the public Internet, which holds a unique potential for empowering citizens to shape their hybrid urban space toward conviviality and collective awareness. It can also play the role of a “boundary object” for facilitating interdisciplinary interactions and participatory processes between different actors: researchers, engineers, practitioners, artists, designers, local authorities, and activists. This position paper presents a social learning framework, the DIY networking paradigm, that we aim to put in the centre of the hybrid space design process. We first introduce our individual views on the role of design as discussed in the fields of engineering, urban planning, urban interaction design, design research, and community informatics. We then introduce a simple methodology for combining these diverse perspectives into a meaningful interdisciplinary collaboration, through a series of related events with different structure and framing. We conclude with a short summary of a selection of these events, which serves also as an introduction to the CONTACT workshop on facilitating information sharing between strangers, in the context of the Hybrid City III conference

Sociabilidade: A chave para o transtorno do processamento sensorial

Social communication and sensory processing disorder are two factors that interact with each other and the difficulties they find in them impact on different neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. More specifically, sociability is shown to play a key role in dealing with sensory processing difficulties and the interventions related to it can be implemented in a school setting as well within a therapeutic setting and even at home. The design of these interventions with a focus on sociability aims on the one hand to reduce sensory difficulties and on the other hand to provide meaningful communication when working with children with autism or severe or generalized learning difficulties. This article’s goal is to compile research findings regarding the impact of sociability on children with sensory difficulties through a literature review. Specifically, many interventions with pillars the social communication have been studied to help children with autism and other syndromes The outcomes demonstrated a direct link between sociability and sensory processing disorder with interventions and therapeutic programs implemented in many nations with favorable outcomes in many facets of how children with these issues behave. One of the most effective interventions that helps are Intensive Interaction with high contribution to the sensory regulation of children mainly with autism. Students with neurodevelopmental problems were the samples for the interventions' participants. Application of these programs on a weekly basis, two to three times, is helpful in the right direction.El trastorno de la comunicación social y el procesamiento sensorial son dos factores que interactúan entre sí y las dificultades que encuentran en ellos repercuten en diferentes trastornos del neurodesarrollo como el autismo. Más específicamente, se muestra que la sociabilidad juega un papel clave en el tratamiento de las dificultades de procesamiento sensorial y las intervenciones relacionadas con ella pueden implementarse tanto en un entorno escolar como en un contexto terapéutico e incluso en el hogar. El diseño de estas intervenciones con un enfoque principal en la sociabilidad tiene como objetivo, por un lado, reducir las dificultades sensoriales y, por otro lado, proporcionar una comunicación significativa cuando se trabaja con niños con autismo o dificultades de aprendizaje severas o generalizadas. El propósito de este artículo es registrar datos de investigación sobre el efecto de la sociabilidad en niños con dificultades sensoriales a través de una revisión de la literatura. En concreto, se han estudiado muchas intervenciones con pilares la comunicación social para ayudar a niños con autismo y otros síndromes. Los resultados mostraron que existe una correlación directa entre la sociabilidad y el trastorno del procesamiento sensorial con intervenciones y programas terapéuticos implementados en muchos países con resultados positivos en todos los aspectos del comportamiento de los niños con estas dificultades. Una de las intervenciones más efectivas que ayuda son las Interacciones Intensivas con alto aporte a la regulación sensorial de niños principalmente con autismo. En cuanto a los participantes en las intervenciones, las muestras fueron estudiantes con trastornos del neurodesarrollo estudiados. La frecuencia de aplicación de estos programas 2-3 veces por semana ayuda en la dirección correcta.A comunicação social e o transtorno do processamento sensorial, são dois fatores que interagem entre si e as dificuldades que encontram neles, impactam em diferentes transtornos do neurodesenvolvimento como o autismo. Mais especificamente, a sociabilidade mostra-se como um papel fundamental para lidar com as dificuldades de processamento sensorial e as intervenções relacionadas a ela podem ser implementadas em ambiente escolar, bem como, em contexto terapêutico e até mesmo em casa. O desenho destas intervenções com foco principal na sociabilidade visa por um lado, reduzir as dificuldades sensoriais e, por outro, proporcionar uma comunicação significativa ao trabalhar com crianças com autismo ou dificuldades de aprendizagem graves ou generalizadas. O objetivo deste artigo foi registrar dados de pesquisa sobre o efeito da sociabilidade em crianças com dificuldades sensoriais por meio de uma revisão de literatura. Especificamente, intervenções com pilares na comunicação social, têm sido estudadas para ajudar crianças com autismo e outras síndromes. Os resultados mostraram que existe uma correlação direta entre sociabilidade e transtorno do processamento sensorial com intervenções e programas terapêuticos implementados em vários países com resultados positivos em todos os aspectos do comportamento de crianças com essas dificuldades. Uma das intervenções mais eficazes que auxiliam, são a interação intensiva com alta contribuição para a regulação sensorial em crianças principalmente com autismo. Em relação aos participantes das intervenções, as amostras foram estudantes com transtornos do neurodesenvolvimento estudados. A frequência de aplicação destes programas dois ou três vezes por semana ajuda na direção correta

Assistive Technology Divide: A Developing Country Perspective

Use of ICTs, in relation to physical challenge, especially visual impairment, is a problematic issue. This study explored awareness, accessibility and use of specialized ICTs among visually impaired adults in selected urban cities in South- eastern Nigeria. Thirty In-depth Interviews were conducted among visually impaired students and government employees. The study established a general awareness of ICTs, and limited awareness of specialized ICTs, among these visually impaired persons. It also found that use of specialized ICTs among them appeared a distant reality. This led to the conclusion that a ‘divide’ exists in terms of accessibility and use of assistive technology for the visually impaired persons in this region. The study recommended individual and governmental interventions, to help bridge this ‘divide’. Keywords:          Assistive Technology Divide, Visually Impaired, Specialized ICTs. DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-4-13 Publication date: April 30th 201

Quantum surveillance and 'shared secrets'. A biometric step too far? CEPS Liberty and Security in Europe, July 2010

It is no longer sensible to regard biometrics as having neutral socio-economic, legal and political impacts. Newer generation biometrics are fluid and include behavioural and emotional data that can be combined with other data. Therefore, a range of issues needs to be reviewed in light of the increasing privatisation of ‘security’ that escapes effective, democratic parliamentary and regulatory control and oversight at national, international and EU levels, argues Juliet Lodge, Professor and co-Director of the Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence at the University of Leeds, U

Narrative environments: how do they matter?

The significance and possible senses of the phrase 'narrative environment' are explored. It is argued that 'narrative environment' is not only polysemous but also paradoxical; not only representational but also performative; and not just performatively repetitive but also reflexive and constitutive. As such, it is useful for understanding the world of the early 21st century. Thus, while the phrase narrative environment can be used to denote highly capitalised, highly regulated corporate forms, i.e. "brandscapes", it can also be understood as a metaphor for the emerging reflexive knowledge-work-places in the ouroboric, paradoxical economies of the 21st century. Narrative environments are the media and the materialities through which we come to comprehend that world and to act in those economies. Narrative environments are therefore, sophistically, performative-representative both of the corporate dominance of life worlds and of the undoing of that dominance, through the iterative responses to the paradoxical injunction: "learn to live"

As aplicações de TLBL podem melhorar os aspectos do TEA relacionados a distúrbios no microbioma intestinal, atividade mitocondrial e função da rede neural

Autism Spectrum Disorder constitutes a complex, elaborate, and diverse condition at a developmental, biological, and neurophysiological level. It is recognized primarily by the behavioral manifestations of the individual in communication, social interaction, and by extension in his cognitive development and adaptation to society as a whole. A wide range of studies have linked the pathophysiology of autism to dysfunctional elements in the development and function of mitochondria, cells, neurons, and the gastrointestinal microbiome. Low Light Laser Therapy (LLLT) is an innovative, emerging, non-invasive treatment method. It utilizes low levels of red light/near-infrared light positively affecting biological and pathological processes of the body by enhancing cellular, mitochondrial stimulation, neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and immune system development, regulating the gut microbiome's function. The retrospective literature review focuses on the possibility of effective use of the method in autism. According to the literature, LLLT does not have many applications in patients with ASD and is still in the early stages of its use in the disorder. However, the results of the studies highlight its therapeutic effect in several areas related to the disease, pointing out that it is a promising therapeutic approach for the evolution of autism in the future.El Trastorno del Espectro Autista constituye una condición compleja, elaborada y diversa a nivel del desarrollo, biológico y neurofisiológico. Se reconoce principalmente por las manifestaciones conductuales del individuo en la comunicación, la interacción social y por extensión en su desarrollo cognitivo y adaptación a la sociedad en su conjunto. Una amplia gama de estudios ha relacionado la fisiopatología del autismo con elementos disfuncionales en el desarrollo y función de las mitocondrias, las células, las neuronas y el microbioma gastrointestinal. La terapia con láser con poca luz (LLLT) es un método de tratamiento innovador, emergente y no invasivo. Utiliza niveles bajos de luz roja/luz infrarroja cercana que afectan positivamente los procesos biológicos y patológicos del cuerpo al mejorar la estimulación celular, mitocondrial, la neurogénesis, la sinaptogénesis y el desarrollo del sistema inmunológico, regulando la función del microbioma intestinal. La revisión retrospectiva de la literatura se centra en la posibilidad de un uso eficaz del método en el autismo. Según la literatura, la LLLT no tiene muchas aplicaciones en pacientes con TEA y aún se encuentra en las primeras etapas de su uso en el trastorno. Sin embargo, los resultados de los estudios destacan su efecto terapéutico en varias áreas relacionadas con la enfermedad, señalando que es un enfoque terapéutico prometedor para la evolución del autismo en el futuro.O Transtorno do Espectro Autista constitui uma condição complexa, elaborada e diversificada em nível de desenvolvimento, biológico e neurofisiológico. É reconhecida principalmente pelas manifestações comportamentais do indivíduo na comunicação, interação social e, por extensão, em seu desenvolvimento cognitivo e adaptação à sociedade como um todo. Uma ampla gama de estudos ligou a fisiopatologia do autismo a elementos disfuncionais no desenvolvimento e função das mitocôndrias, células, neurônios e do microbioma gastrointestinal. Terapia a laser de baixa luminosidade (TLBL) é um método de tratamento inovador, emergente e não invasivo. Ele utiliza baixos níveis de luz vermelha/luz quase infravermelha (NIR) afetando positivamente os processos biológicos e patológicos do corpo, melhorando a estimulação celular, mitocondrial, neurogênese, sinaptogênese e desenvolvimento do sistema imunológico, regulando a função do microbioma intestinal. A revisão retrospectiva da literatura enfoca a possibilidade de uso efetivo do método no autismo. De acordo com a literatura, a TLBL não tem muitas aplicações em pacientes com TEA e ainda está em estágios iniciais de seu uso no transtorno. No entanto, os resultados dos estudos destacam seu efeito terapêutico em diversas áreas relacionadas à doença, apontando que é uma abordagem terapêutica promissora para a evolução do autismo no futuro