At Enable Ireland, Sandymount, resuming the Assistive Technology (AT) clinic is a significant milestone, one that marks an exciting chapter for both the organisation and the community it serves.  This clinic is facilitated by a dedicated team of two Occupational Therapists (OTs) and one Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), who are committed to providing expert assessments and personalised solutions to children with disabilities.  

This blog post will explore how this clinic serves children and their families, the process involved, and the types of AT and software solutions that are trialled and recommended to best meet each child’s needs.  

What is the Assistive Technology (AT) Clinic? 

The AT clinic at Enable Ireland provides specialised assessments and hands-on trials of various tools and technologies that can improve a child’s access to education, communication, and overall independence.  These tools are designed to make everyday tasks more accessible and empower children to actively participate in their schoolwork and social life.  Together, the team works closely with families to select the most appropriate AT solutions.  

The Assessment Process: Tailoring the Experience 

One of the core features of the AT clinic is its personalised approach.  Before the clinic visit, parents are encouraged to complete a Case History Form, which provides the therapists with essential background information about the child.  This form gives the team valuable insight into the child’s developmental history, current strengths and challenges, and their past AT exposure.  By gathering this information beforehand, the clinic can ensure that the AT experience is tailored to each child’s unique needs and goals.  

Trailing Equipment 

During the clinical session, the team tests a range of assistive technology devices that we commonly recommend supporting children with various needs.  Some of the most frequent equipment trailed includes: 

Tablets:  

 A Microsoft pro or an iPad are commonly recommended.  They are versatile and portable tablets that can be used for a variety of educational purposes, including notetaking, accessing learning materials, downloading electronic copies of textbooks, etc.  

Tablet stands:  

These are adjustable stands providing ergonomic support for children who may struggle with energy conservation or holding or positioning a device for optimal use, ensuring that the technology is accessible and comfortable.  Postural support is most important to support writing production.  The most optimal position for writing places the ankles, knees and hips at 90-degree angle with the forearms resting on a slanted desk.   

External keyboard:  

The AT loan library has a vast array of external keyboards to trial with children based on their individual needs.  

Laptops:  

The AT loan library carries numerous laptops of varying display screen sizes to best support children’s needs.  

The clinic offers an opportunity for children to try out these devices in a hands-on, supported environment, allowing therapists to observe how well each piece of equipment supports their specific needs.  

Accessing the School Curriculum: Software Solutions 

In addition to the hardware, the clinic also focuses on recommending software solutions that can support children in accessing their school curriculum and daily lives.  The therapist works closely with parents and children to identify the best tools that will help with academic tasks and increase overall engagement with learning.  

Some of the most commonly used software includes:  

• Read&Write TextHelp: A literacy support tool that offers test-to-speech, word prediction, and other features to support children with reading and writing challenges.  

• Clicker 8: A powerful tool for supporting children with learning disabilities, it provides customisable options for creating activities that support writing, comprehension, and language skills.  

• Mind-mapping software: Tools that assist children in organising their thoughts visually, which is especially helpful for those with ADHD, dyslexia, or other cognitive challenges.  

• Dragon software: This is a speech recognition programme installed on a laptop that allows users to control their device and dictate text through voice commands for enhanced productivity and accessibility.  

• Access to the Microsoft Office suite of applications, including Word and PowerPoint.  

The team at the Assistive Technology clinic carefully evaluates which software solutions are most appropriate for each child, ensuring that they have the tools to access their school curriculum effectively and engage appropriately with their lessons in a way that suits their individual needs. 

Empowering families Through Knowledge and Support 

The AT clinic encapsulates more than solely testing technology hardware and software; it highlights the importance of empowering families and providing them with the knowledge and support needed to make informed decisions.  By working closely with parents, the team at the clinic helps them to understand how the technology can be integrated into their child’s daily routine, both at home and in school.  

Through open discussions, the clinic also provides advice on how to use the technology to its full potential, ensuring that children gain the maximum benefit from the tools they are provided with.  Whether it’s learning how to set up devices for optimal use or troubleshooting any issues that arise, the team is there to support families every step of the way.  

Accessing the right assistive technology can make a world of a difference in terms of independence, educational success, and overall well-being.   By providing tailored assessments, hands-on equipment trials, and advice on the latest software solutions, Enable Ireland’s AT clinic is playing a vital role in fostering inclusivity and accessibility for children with diverse needs.