Assistive Technology for Young Children: Insights for Support Coordinators

The latest NDIS evidence snapshot has been released and it provides a groundbreaking look at how Assistive Technology (AT) can transform the lives of children under 9 with disabilities. This in-depth review of the past ten years' research highlights AT's pivotal role in fostering communication, mobility, and active participation in daily life. It has also informed the development of the NDIS guides for supporting your child with assistive technology

What is Assistive Technology?

Think of AT as more than gadgets and gizmos.

Assistive Technology is equipment, devices or software that aim to make everyday tasks easier and safer. Sometimes they are described as ‘aids and equipment’. 

For children with developmental delay or physical or intellectual disability, AT plays an important role in their development and participation in the NDIS.

As Support Coordinators, this information is crucial to our mission.

Here are some pivotal findings from the NDIS evidence snapshot:

• Communication and Language: The study reviewed multiple AT interventions aimed at improving communication and language. Among these, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), Speech Generating Devices (SGDs), and eye-gaze technology were highlighted for their effectiveness. PECS, for example, allows children to express their needs and thoughts through pictures, a method that has proven successful in enhancing both expressive and receptive communication skills. Similarly, SGDs offer a voice to those who are non-verbal, enabling them to participate more fully in social interactions and education.
  
  
• Mobility: The research also shed light on AT designed to assist with mobility. Devices such as anterior and posterior walkers, ankle foot orthoses, and powered mobility devices like electric wheelchairs have been found to significantly improve the mobility of children with physical disabilities. These tools not only aid in movement but also contribute to greater independence and participation in community activities.
  
  
• Home and Community Participation: AT supports that facilitate comfort and independence at home and in the community were also examined. Adaptive seating, self-controlled technology, and microswitches were noted for their potential to enhance the quality of life. Adaptive seating systems, for instance, can improve postural control, enabling children to engage more effectively in activities and social interactions at home and school.
  

Incorporating these AT interventions into your support strategies requires a deep understanding of each child's unique needs and goals.

Understanding the evidence behind AT's benefits is crucial, but applying this knowledge in the real world is where you need to shine. That's where the Support Coordination Academy’s workshops come into play, offering a structured yet flexible framework for turning theory into practice.

Making It Practical

• Continuous Learning: Our workshops encourage a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, crucial for keeping up with advancements in AT and integrating new evidence into your practice.
  
  
• Strategic Application: Learn to strategically apply workshop principles to a number of practical topics, enhancing your ability to plan, implement, and discuss AT interventions that can change lives.
  
  
• Community Engagement: Use insights from both the snapshot and workshops to foster stronger networks and connections, vital for finding the right AT solutions and supporting families in navigating their options.
  
  

The evidence is compelling: AT can dramatically impact a child's ability to communicate, move, and engage with their world. However, the success of these technologies depends largely on their thoughtful selection, customisation, and integration into the child's life—a process in which you, as a Support Coordinator, play an indispensable role.

This isn't about becoming AT experts but staying informed enough to guide participants through their options and connect them with the right expertise.

By embracing the evidence and applying it with empathy and expertise, you can unlock new possibilities for the children you support.

Incorporating these AT interventions into your support strategies requires a deep understanding of each child's unique needs and goals.

Understanding the evidence behind AT's benefits is crucial, but applying this knowledge in the real world is where you need to shine. That's where the Support Coordination Academy’s workshops come into play, offering a structured yet flexible framework for turning theory into practice.

Making It Practical

• Continuous Learning: Our workshops encourage a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, crucial for keeping up with advancements in AT and integrating new evidence into your practice.
  
• Strategic Application: Learn to strategically apply workshop principles to a number of practical topics, enhancing your ability to plan, implement, and discuss AT interventions that can change lives.
  
• Community Engagement: Use insights from both the snapshot and workshops to foster stronger networks and connections, vital for finding the right AT solutions and supporting families in navigating their options.
  

The evidence is compelling: AT can dramatically impact a child's ability to communicate, move, and engage with their world. However, the success of these technologies depends largely on their thoughtful selection, customisation, and integration into the child's life—a process in which you, as a Support Coordinator, play an indispensable role.

This isn't about becoming AT experts but staying informed enough to guide participants through their options and connect them with the right expertise.

By embracing the evidence and applying it with empathy and expertise, you can unlock new possibilities for the children you support.