Introduction to the Use of a Tablet for Alternative Communication By An Adolescent with Cerebral Palsy

ABSTRACT: This research aimed to evaluate the transition from communication through paperboard to communication through a tablet for an adolescent with cerebral palsy in order to verify the effectiveness of using this assistive technology resource as an alternative form of communication. The participant of this study was an adolescent with cerebral palsy who uses a paper communication board in conjunction with a folder, Velcro and word cards. A design of comparison between interventions with reversion were used with the following experimental phases: A1. and A2. Also, without intervention; B. Implementation of accessibility to the tablet; BC. Implementation of accessibility to the tablet plus the orthosis for positioning; BCD1. and BCD2, implementation of accessibility to the tablet plus the positioning orthosis and modifications in the table of support. When investigating the use of the tablet associated with the implemented resources of assistive technology the results indicated a positive data related to the teaching procedures established with the implementation of the tablet instead of the paperboard.摘要：本研究旨在评估一名脑瘫青少年从纸板沟通向平板沟通的转变，以验证该辅助技术（assistive technology）资源作为替代沟通方式的有效性。本研究的参与者为一名脑瘫青少年，其当前使用配合文件夹、魔术贴（Velcro）与词汇卡片的纸质沟通板。研究采用反转式干预对比设计，设置如下实验阶段：A1、A2（无干预阶段）；B：平板无障碍适配阶段；BC：平板无障碍适配联合定位矫形器阶段；BCD1、BCD2：平板无障碍适配、定位矫形器搭配支撑台改造阶段。在探究平板结合所应用的辅助技术资源的使用情况后，结果显示，相较于纸板沟通方式，采用平板作为替代沟通方案的配套教学流程呈现出积极成效。