RESNA ATP Exam

Numeric Code

AAC coding technique in which a number stands for a word, phrase, or sentence. Communicate quickly with fewer keystrokes

Abbreviation Expansion

AAC device automatically expands the abbreviation into the expanded word. abd = abduction

Coverage Vocabularies

provide basic communication topics as well as concepts for people who cannot spell - words, symbols, or pictures

Acceleration Vocabularies

intended to increase the rate of communication for people who can spell - letter codes stand for words, phrases, and sentences

Semantic Encoding

pictures/symbols/icons represent words, phrases, and sentences. Icons have potential for multiple meanings

Predictive Selection

Icon prediction feature used with scanning

Predictive Scanning

predictive approach based on the frequency with which certain letters follow others in English

Word Prediction and Word Completion

displays words or phrases a user is typing based on what has already been typed

Fixed Predictive Devices

stored vocabulary that never changes - very predictable and helps the user develop motor and cognitive patterns that make retrieval faster

Adaptive Predictive Devices

change the order of words keeping most frequently used words at the top of the list

Eye-Controlled Communication Systems

for people with severe limb limitations but good eye and head control.

Keyguard

cover made of plexiglass or plastic that fits over a keyboard for people who have difficulty pressing the right key or who produce extra movements as they move key to key

Automatic Scanning

device presents available choices continuously. Users must be able to wait for selection and activate accurately at the correct time

Step scanning

press switch to move from choice to choice. Must active another switch or wait for acceptance time to elapse to choose. Motor fatigue has potential to be high with this method

Inverse Scanning

User holds switch to scan, releases to select

Instructions

ATPs should provide written instructions for all equipment and make sure it is accessible to client, cognitively and physically. Provide supplemental instructions if necessary

Motor Skills Training Program (3 stages)

1. Activate switch and associate switch with result

2. Activate switch at a certain time consistently

3. Increase array that the user can consistently select in order to improve scanning selection skills

HAAT

Human Activity/Assistive Technology Model

Human

Activity

Assistive Technology

Context

Operator using AT system properly?

Does the system allow user to meet goals for activity?

Does the system bridge the gap between the skills the consumer has and the skills needed for the activity?

Does the system perform in the physical, social, and cultural environment?

Follow-up versus Follow-along

Follow up = activities that occur immediately after AT is installed

Follow-Along = activities that occur over a longer time span, often over a life-time

Scanning

Most common type of INDIRECT selection in which consumer uses a switch to select option when highlighted

Directed Scanning

user initiates scanning process then selects option with a joystick or other switch. This is the fastest indirect selection method

Acceptance Time

the length of time a user pauses at a choice during directed scanning

Coded Access

selection method in which the user completes a sequence of movements as a code for each item in a selection set

Spatial Characteristics of a Control Interface

size, shape, weight, number of targets, size of targets, and amount of space between targets

Visual Perception

process of assigning meaning to visual input

Environmental Interface

the part of the assistive device that takes in information from the world (cameras and microphones are examples)

Once an ATP has chosen a potential device...

...ideally the ATP will conduct a trial with the actual device

C3 SCI

movement in chin and neck - will likely have ventillator

C4 SCI

movement in neck and shoulders - may be able to use a shoulder, mouth, or chin as a control site

C5 SCI

movement in shoulders and can flex elbows

C6 SCI

movement in shoulders, can flex elbows, extend wrists, and pronate forearms

C7 SCI

can move shoulders, elbows, and wrists. LACKS GRASP

Dysarthria

disorder of motor speech control in CNS or PNS. Characterized by weakness, slowness, and lack of coordination in the muscles needed for speech

Apraxia

Motor control limitation stemming from CNS - the inability to make purposeful movements

Aphasia

language disorder in both in speaking and understanding. stems from neuromuscular conditions such as CP, ALS, TBI, CVA

Evaluation for WC should include

range of motion, strength, motor control, skin integrity, vision, perception, abilities (propulsion and transfers)

Goals for Seating Intervention

normalizing tone

facilitating normal movement

maintain skeletal alignment and joint range of motion

Powered Mobility for Kids

Children as young as 18 months can safely operate POVs - these vehicles facilitate the child's social, cognitive, perceptual, and functional development.

Evaluation for Communication Device

language comprehension and production

why type of symbols

which rate enhancement tools can they use

pragmatic language skills and social communicative skills

What Makes Car Transfers Easier

bench seats

fabric (not leather)

Car Adaptations

power lift/ramp

roof may be raised

floor may be lowered

seats that swivel and lock

tie-downs

Latched Controllers

turn motor on the first time a switch is pressed, then turn off with the next press

Tremor or Sensitivity Dampening

ignore small, rapid movements and only respond to large, slow movements

Short Throw Adjustment

changes the degree of range of motion a user needs to operate control interface

Wheelchair Batteries

wet-cell batteries have liquid chemicals - last longer, less expensive, but may spill/evaporate

gel or sealed have semi-solid chemicals - safer and less maintenance

typically have 30-90 ampere-hours capacity at 12 volts

Strollers

dependent mobility, umbrella or full-size

dependent mobility, can accommodate up to 200#

poor seating for functional tasks

Child's Setting

task to be perfomed

environment

atmosphere

Culture

beliefs

values

customs

habits

Assistive Technology Enables...

...clients to complete tasks or to improve their performance, despite their disability

Human/Technology Interface

how the human interacts with assistive technology such as keyboard or video display.

Processor in Human/Technology Interface

translates the information from the human into activity output. Some assistive technology devices also incorporate environmental information into the process

Hard Technologies

items such as assistive devices, computers, and machinery and to components of the devices such as the human/technology interface and the processor

Soft Technologies

items such as training, performance, aids, and flashcards as well as to policy issues such as flexible work times, job design, telecommuting, and work accommodation

Educational Model Approach

work with consumer and other interested parties when assessing the consumer and designing AT system - ATPs educate team about all available choices.

PASS

Plan for Achieving Self-Sufficiency is a social security administration program that allows individuals to set aside income to pay for job-related assistive equipment or services

Children's Medical Service

federal and state funded - children who are eligible may get AT funded

IFSP

Individualized Family Service Plan

IEP

Individual Education Plan

IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Private Sources of Funding

low-interest loans through Easter Seals and some manufacturers and vendors

Seating Considerations

postural control

pressure management

comfort

transportation

cost, reliability, durability, and maintenance

Simulations

allow ATP to try out different body positions and materials as well as provide data for ATP to document need and effectiveness

Biomechanics

study of body position and movement

Kinematics

study of motion

Displacement

position of the body. A change in displacement leads to a new body position

Velocity

rate of change in displacement

Acceleration

how fast velocity is changing whether increasing or decreasing

Translational Movement

one type of displacement - all parts of the body move in the same direction at the same time or for the same distance (ie walking)

Rotational Movement

one type of displacement - when movement is through an angle rather than a straight line such as flexing a joint

Fulcrum

support point around which rotational displacement occurs

Force

anything that acts on a body to change its momentum or rate of acceleration

Tension

type of force in which the equal, opposite pairs act in the same line but pull apart (ie muscle contractions)

Compression

type of force in which the equal, opposite pairs are forced toward each other (ie vertebrae on the disks)

Shearing

type of force in which the equal, opposite pairs are parallel to each other (ie head of femur moving across acetabulum)

Stress

molecular change caused by force

Pressure

amount of force per unit area

Static Equilibrium

occurs when the body is at rest and all internal and external forces are balanced

Dynamic Equilibrium

occurs as the body is moving and all internal and external forces are balanced

Torque

the amount of force applied to an object to produce rotational motion - force multiplied by distance from the pivot point to where the force is applied

Friction

force between two bodies that are in contact by moving in opposite directions

Static Friction

amount of force required to start a body in motion and is proportional to the compression force holding the two bodies together

Dynamic Friction

friction during movement. It typically takes less force to keep bodies moving than to get them started

Frictional Forces are affected by...

...moisture, heat, texture, and lubricants

AAC as computer input

users can use same control interface and selection technique for the computer an communication, but the AAC device must be plugged into computer and AAC cannot create all codes needed for complete computer access

Low Vision

size, spacing, and/or contrast

Rate Enhancement

method used to increase the rate of communication - user makes fewer entries to communicate = greater efficiency, less fatigue, and higher rates of communication (indirect and direct selection can be used)

Prediction Techniques

suggest word choices as user begins to type

Remote Devices

ultrasound, infrared, or radio freq waves - typically control only one device

Programmable Controllers

consumers enter code into controller

Center of Gravity

point at which the weight of a body is concentrated and the body is balanced in all directions

Where is center of gravity

Standing - upper sacrum

Sitting - buttocks, thighs, and feet

Functional Center of Gravity in Sitting

ankles and trunk flex forward, arms and hands forward, and feet shift behind knees

Postural Control

ability of a person to control their posture

Intrinsic Enablers

skills and limitations related to a person's sensors, central processing, and effectors. Sensors obtain data from the environment. Limitations in this area are defined in terms of sensitivity and range

Visual Skills a Consumer May Need for AT

see symbol, identify objects, enough visual field for inputting information, tracking ability for reading or following a moving cursor.

Visual Field

entire area that is visible when the eye is facing forward (includes peripheral vision)

Visual Tracking

ability of eye to follow a moving object

Visual Scanning

ability of the eye to search for an object that is still

Visual Accommodation

ability of the eye to adjust to objects that are close and far away