ERIC Number: EJ1178537
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1941-1243
EISSN: N/A
Therapists' Perspectives: Supporting Children to Use Switches and Technology for Accessing Their Environment, Leisure, and Communication
Beauchamp, Fiona; Bourke-Taylor, Helen; Brown, Ted
Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools & Early Intervention, v11 n2 p133-147 2018
Background: Many children with cerebral palsy learn to use technology to access their environments and communicate; however, minimal research informs practice. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study with purposive sampling recruited 10 therapists (occupational, speech, and physiotherapists) from one early intervention service. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and were analyzed thematically. Results: Four themes were derived: development of successful movement; positioning and equipment; access methodology and processes; and learning to communicate ("learning nonelectronic communication in parallel with electronic communication"). Conclusion: Practitioners described a multitude of skills and expertise to facilitate switch use in play and electronic communication devices in early childhood.
Descriptors: Occupational Therapy, Allied Health Personnel, Cerebral Palsy, Assistive Technology, Semi Structured Interviews, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Qualitative Research, Sampling, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, Intervention, Communication Skills, Young Children, Foreign Countries
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A