Tutorial 7: Assisstive Technology

Assistive technology can be defined as:
"Any item, piece of equipment or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities".
Cook. A., & Hussey, S. (1995). Assistive Technology: Principles & Practice. Missouri: Mosby-Year Book Inc.

An example of an assistive device introduced in a recent tutorial was a talking photo album. This was a normal looking photo album with ordinary photographs inside but for each photograph you place inside you are able to record a specific message to explain the photograph or give a brief subtitle.
The talking photo albums are very cost effective beginning at around the $15-20 mark.
This piece of technology can be useful for those patients who communicate non-verbally and a talking photo frame can assist: giving instructions, to begin a conversation, to tell stories, to record information about yourself, to facilitate daily conversation, to order in a restaurant, to facilitate memory and share memories with others.