The Importance of Assistive Technology in OT

Response to Prompt: What is assistive technology and why is it important in the field of occupational therapy?


Technology is used everyday in today's society. We are always using our phones, laptops, tablets, and the list goes on. With the every growing advancements in technology, there are so many amazing ways it can be used to help others do things they would otherwise be unable to do. 

This is where assistive technology (AT) comes into play. Any material used to improve the functioning capabilities of an individual with a disability is assistive technology. Whether it is a piece of equipment or a program/software, it can help engage someone who has difficulty speaking, writing, learning, walking and much more. There are three categories of assistive technology: low, medium, and high tech. Low tech is the most basic and easiest to use such as adaptive spoons, pencil grips or adaptive game materials. Medium tech calls for additional training or set up time and materials include batteries or basic controls such as an on/off switch. Finally, high tech AT equipments includes tablets or laptops that are set up for use by someone with a disability. All of these types of AT equipment can help someone with a disability learn to improve their occupational performance. 

The purpose of occupational therapy is to help someone achieve functional independence in daily life skills and thus assistive technology can play a key role in helping a client achieve the goals that are set for them. Whether you have a tablet that can help a child communicate better or a pencil grip to help a woman relearn to use a spoon, there are so many amazing ways AT can help clients achieve their best level of independence. 



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