Article

This paper describes the development and test of physical and virtual
integrated augmentative manipulation and communication assistive technologies
(IAMCATs) that enable children with motor and speech impairments to manipulate
educational items by controlling a robot with a gripper, while communicating
through a speech generating device. METHOD: Nine children with disabilities, nine
regular and nine special education teachers participated in the study. Teachers
adapted academic activities so they could also be performed by the children with
disabilities using the IAMCAT. An inductive content analysis of the teachers'
interviews before and after the intervention was performed. RESULTS: Teachers
considered the IAMCAT to be a useful resource that can be integrated into the
regular class dynamics respecting their curricular planning. It had a positive
impact on children with disabilities and on the educational community. However,
teachers pointed out the difficulties in managing the class, even with another
adult present, due to the extra time required by children with disabilities to
complete the activities. CONCLUSIONS: The developed assistive technologies enable
children with disabilities to participate in academic activities but full
inclusion would require another adult in class and strategies to deal with the
additional time required by children to complete the activities. Implications for
Rehabilitation Integrated augmentative manipulation and communication assistive
technologies are useful resources to promote the participation of children with
motor and speech impairments in classroom activities. Virtual tools, running on a
computer screen, may be easier to use but further research is needed in order to
evaluate its effectiveness when compared to physical tools. Full participation of
children with motor and speech impairments in academic activities using these
technologies requires another adult in class and adequate strategies to manage
the extra time the child with disabilities may require to complete the
activities.

Langue : ANGLAIS