Holistic Perspective Technology

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Smart Technology Strategies for Using Portable Computers as Vocational Aids

Tony Gentry, PhD OTR/L Department of Occupational Therapy Virginia Commonwealth University

Holistic Perspective

•  Strategies for thinking, memory

•  Environmental adaptations

•  Task simplification, supports

Person Place

Task

Service Provider’s Role

•  Assess client needs, tasks and environment

•  Learn the devices & apps

•  Determine best fit for client

•  Train client and caregiver

•  Include in daily organization routine

•  Follow-up consults

•  Gradually diminish supports

What do you need? •  Reminder alerts

•  Medication manager

•  Step-by-step task guidance

•  Wayfinding help

•  Behavioral assistance

•  Communication

•  What else?

Photo-Video Strategies

•  Task-Sequence

•  Behavioral Cueing

•  Wayfinding

•  Social Stories

Video Modeling •  Most well-researched of

all AT for cognition approaches

•  Rehearse

•  Play and Pause

•  Review

•  See handout

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iPod Touch 4g, Ipads 2/new

•  Simplified iMovie allows improved editing directly on device

•  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEaWuCrI24s&feature=relmfu

Assessment •  FATCAT •  Tools/Features used

now •  Task requirements •  Goals/obstacles •  Familiarity/interest in

using AT •  Human supports

Which tool?

•  Apple vs. Android vs. Microsoft vs. RIM?

•  Will your client’s plain vanilla cell phone do the trick?

•  Pocket-size or tablet-size?

•  Wi-fi only or cell phone access plan?

•  School, work or all around use?

•  Who will program the thing?

Like any other A.T., consider… •  Does client have potential to use a device?

•  Functional vision

•  Hearing

•  Dexterity

•  Ability to respond to a prompt and perform prompted task

•  Frustration tolerance

•  Awareness of need/Interest in using device

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Also consider:

•  Workplace stimuli

•  Protection of device

•  How will it be carried?

•  Home needs/uses

Interface issues •  Getting lost in so many

onscreen options •  The device itself as a

distractor •  Where do you put the thing? •  How do I protect the thing? •  Saving battery life •  Tinny, tiny speakers •  Inputting data

Pimp your Screen Steve Jobs' Folder Demonstration

Recommend:

Create a “Work” folder

Place work-related apps in this folder

Drag “Work” folder to tray on bottom so it’s always visible

Move non-work folders to second screen, not in tray

Another option: If only a few work-related apps, place them all in tray and not in a folder (easier to see them that way).

Carrying PDA at work

•  Pocket

•  Belt clip

•  Armband

•  Desktop

•  Lanyard

Cases for ipod touch

Colortunes – Walmart $9.95

Otterbox.com Defender $29.95

Why Bluetooth?

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Speaker solutions

•  iMainGo $15 (Walmart)

Jabra $30 (Amazon)

Keyboards  &  Styli  

Bluetooth keyboard •  Think about ergonomics

•  Think about portability

•  Thumbs or ten fingers?

Logitech di novo

Apple full-size

Turn off battery draining features

More battery savers Other battery savers

Set alarm to “charge me!” at

night.

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Training Method •  Theory

•  Diffusion of Innovations

•  Instructional Design

•  Cognitive Rehabilitation

•  Build on Prior Familiarity

•  Repetition and Reinforcement

•  Multi-modal training tools

•  Focus on Real World Needs

•  Formative and Summative Assessment

•  Collaboration and Facilitation

Set-up & Training

•  Introduce a good basic device

•  Create iTunes account for app access

•  Basic interface training – maybe with a game

•  Introduce reminder alarm function for daily schedule

•  Train family caregiver to trouble-shoot

•  Help person record 4-5 reminders each day for first week

Training

Contacts, Note Pad, Tasks, Memos

Pre-Test, Provide PDA, load Desktop software, Intro to Data

Entry and Calendar

Trouble-shooting Add appropriate apps

Trouble-shooting Post-test

Week 1

Weeks 2 and 3

Support/Follow-Along •  On subsequent visits, reinforce reminder alarm

function

•  Work through problems

•  Introduce other features, as appropriate

•  Notes and To do lists

•  Video-based task cueing

•  Wayfinding tools

•  Accessibility features

•  Don’t forget fun

How many apps? Drinking from fire hose

•  Expect to use reminder alerts most often/always

•  Most people can benefit from targeted task-sequencing or behavioral prompts

•  Many people may need anxiety-management apps

•  Some may need accessibility options

•  In our study the average person used 3 apps at work

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Post-Assessment •  How has A.T. reduced need for

supervision?

•  What new goals might be pursued?

•  What other technology may help?

•  If it didn’t work, why didn’t it?

Fading Supports

•  Is this the right device for this person?

•  Gradually hand-off trouble-shooting to person and caregiver

•  Consider disability-specific software

•  How can the device be leveraged for increased independence at school or on the job?

•  Be aware that new abilities lead to new opportunities

•  Collaborate on new ideas

Personalized Suite Basic Adaptations

•  Reminders

•  Task-Sequencing Cue

•  Way-Finding Video

•  Behavioral Management tool

•  Communication or Device Access Adaptations

Don’t Forget…

•  Protective Case or Belt Clip

•  Simplify Screen for Easy Access

•  Speakers?

•  Keyboard?

•  Behavioral Contract?

Case Study •  Stephanie Lau, VCU RRTC and her client Beth

57-year old Virginia

Employment Commission file

clerk

Situation

•  Environmental Adaptations

•  Organized work flow with written instructions

•  But still required close supervision for:

•  Switching tasks, way-finding in building, anxiety-management, changes in routine, transportation safety

Contacts

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Task Notes Reminders

Videos Anxiety Management

•  Simply Being

•  Guide meditation app with music and voice

•  Timer

•  .99 on iTunes Store

Lunch Break Relaxation Entertainment

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Beth waiting for Carevan Result •  Manages bus difficulties with reminders, phone, and

music

•  Moves from task to task on time (alerts)

•  Knows what to do (notes)

•  Finds her way, observes appropriate, safe behaviors (videos)

•  Relaxation and anxiety-management (apps and music)

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Stay in Touch

•  Facebook “Assistive Technology for Cognition” page

•  logentry@vcu.edu