Measurement of the product attitudes of youth during the selection of assistive technology devices

Abstract

Consumer socialization provides a new way to understand the developing role of youth as AT consumers and the YEP scale is emerging as a way to measure their product attitudes. When integrated with contemporary thinking about the assessment and selection of AT devices, providers and parents may be better able to incorporate the product perspectives of youth during this shared decision-making process. [Box: see text].

A multiprofessional client-centred guide to implementing assistive technology for clients with cognitive impairments

“…It is important to understand the physical, social and cultural environment in which the identified ATC will be used [72,73]. The environment both limits and supports what clients can do and how they can do it [74].…”

“…Rehabilitation scientists such as Prigatano [76] emphasise the importance the coping capacity has on the efficiency of using compensatory strategies [72]. These factors need to be examined and understood more specifically for better treatment strategies and more accurate predictions of outcome [77].…”

“…A detailed analysis of the goal that the client wishes to achieve is needed in order to find out which type of ATC that could be most appropriate [33,72]. There is an increasing supply of commercially available products also appropriate for clients with mild or moderate ABI.…”

“…The opportunity for trial use of a device before training and purchase is recommended [2]. Moreover, it is important that the clients and their SOs consider the selected ATC to be esthetically and socially acceptable, practical to use and that the device can meet the client's needs and wishes [72]. Furthermore, it is important that the client's SO supports the training and the use of the device [4,42].…”