They Play and Learn to Play! First Results of the Italian Research Project on Play and Children with Motor Impairment
By Besio, Serenella; Assistive Technology - Shaping the Future: AAATE 2003 Conference Proceedings, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 221-226Publication Date: 2003
Paper presents results from a research project entitled Technical Aids and Methodologies for the Access to Play for Children with Motor Impairment. The project was launched to improve education for children with motor impairments by allowing them to directly interact with their environment through play activities with assistive devices. The children were monitored in a playroom once a week. Individual play programs were developed for each student involving various assistive technology, including: (1) a step scanning system, (2) joystick, (3) a touch screen coupled with magnifying software, (4) a switch, (5) a touch screen coupled with a switch, and (6) a large trackball. Through their use of the assistive devices, the students were able to build a foundation for understanding of the relationship between cause and effect, and could gain understanding of various symbols and icons. The study provided the participants with the opportunity to play, and it gave the professionals involved the opportunity to carry out educational activities.
Published by: IOS Press (Website:http://www.iospress.nl)
Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) (Web Site: http://www.aaate.net )
ISBN: 1-58603-373-5
