A Home Centered Appraoch to AT

This is the information that I gathered and felt that was important for this project.
Take into consideration both physical and social aspects of the home environment.
Home is a primary place for learning to occur.
The physical consists of: neighborhood and house,
The social consists of:family system, friends, and neighbors
Self-determination for these kids is very important to consider in the homes.
The technology does not have to be high tech but can also be very simple. Usually a better solution, too.
Family culture, interactions, resources, and goals for the future must also be considered for this project to be effective and successful.
The article stated "African American and Hispanic American family members of children with severe disabilities often resisted the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices because they perceive such systems as unnatural and more stigmatizing than spontaneous communication efforts."
The aspect of culture in this project fascinates me.
"The first step in selecting assistive technology is an assessment of child needs and a survey of family needs and priorities. A family-centered interview or conversation can help identify unique family issues. Good communication skills are critical to understanding the culture, needs, values, and priorities of family members."

"Assistive technology is defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (IDEA) as "any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities""
The following examines how seven indicators of child development can be enhanced by the use of both low and high technology in the home.
Nurturence
Territory
Identity
Stimulation
Manipulation
Privacy
Socialization

These were some great questions to really find out what will best benefit the family as a whole while integrating technology.

What are your child's needs and preferences for technology?
What are your family's desires and needs for technology?
What has been clone in the past to meet your child's needs and how was this successful?
Do you perceive that the technology makes your child or family more visibly disabled?
How, if at all, might the technology improve your family's quality of life?
How will this device help your child to be part of your normal family life?
Can you describe any barriers your family might experience in using this technology?
How, if at all, is this device in harmony with your family values or culture?
Will the use of the technology give your child greater access to his or her environment?
What, if anything, is there about this device that concerns or frightens you?
What persons in your family do you want consulted about technology decisions?
Who in the family will be able to comfortably use the technology?
How easy will it be to take care of the device from day to day?
How easy will it be to repair the device?
Will you have to train friends or anyone in your extended family to use the technology?
How will use of the technology change or disrupt your family routine?
How will the technology add tasks to your family routine (e.g., battery charge, cleaning)?
How will it increase or decrease caregiving demands for any one family member?
Will use of the technology make it easier for your child to interact with friends and family?
How, if at all, will siblings have to change to be able to use this device?
How will your home need to be modified to accommodate this technology?
Who else in your family could help with these ideas?
How will this technology place transportation demands on your family?
Can the device be easily moved or transported?
How much will this financially cost your family?
How much time will be required for the child and others to use the device?
How much training will be required to learn to use the device?
Can your home accommodate the size or space needed for this device?
Where will you store the technology?
How will this technology change how your family communicates with each other?
Dreams and desires for the future:
What would you like to accomplish in the next several months with technology?
How would you see this happening in your everyday lives?
Describe what you would like to see happen as a result of using this technology.
Describe what you dream the future will hold for your child.
How will you know when this assistive technology has been successful?
How will you know if it is time to change the technology?
Describe how the school or program can help you to meet your desires.
How long do you foresee it will be before your child outgrows this technology?
Will this technology support your child in building friendships for the future?
Will this technology help your child in the next environment?

1. What is your desired outcome? (Address priorities and concerns)
What have you been told about (assistive technology, etc.)?
If you could focus your energy on one thing, what would that be?
Describe what you would like to see happen for your child after using this technology.
What do you want to accomplish in the next 3 months that will help your child?

2. What can your family and the program do? (Brainstorm alternatives)
How do you see this happening in your everyday life and home?
What are some ways of getting to where you want to be?
What would a trial use of this device be like for you and your child?

3. Think it over and decide on action. (Examine family values, resources, and impact)
Who in your family could help with this device or learn to use this technology?
How, if at all, will this device put demands on your family?
How will this device get from home to school and back home again?
How will your home need to be modified to accommodate this technology?
What will it cost for you to modify or change your home?
Describe for me the ideas with which you are most comfortable.

4. Take action. (Tasks to do with strategies and activities)
What needs to be done to make this happen?
What specific changes will you see for yourself and your child?
Who needs to be involved in getting clone what you want to do?

5. Are we there? (Criteria and timelines for evaluation)
How will you know when this assistive device is successful?
How long do you think it will take?
How will you be able to tell if you (we) are successful at reaching this outcome?
When will you know that the trial period is completed?
When will you know if it is time to change?

(1hr, 20 min)