bbbbbbAssistive Technology
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Glossary
Access method: "Method used by the individual to interface with the device (i.e., direct selection, scanning)" (Flippo, Inge, & Barcus, 1995, p. 62). Activities of daily living (ADL): Refers to functional skills such as dressing, grooming, cooking, and feeding that are necessary for independent living (Hux, 2000) Alternative communication: "Communication approaches that are an individual's primary means of communication. This approach is utilized when an individual possess no oral communicative abilities (Flippo, Inge, & Barcus, 1995, p. 57). Aphasia: "A general language deficit that can affect the ability to read, write, listen, or talk, usually secondary to a cerebrovascular accident (stroke) or traumatic brain injury to the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain" (Glennen & DeCoste, 1997, p. 772). Apraxia: "The inability to voluntarily perform a learned motor movement in the absence of paralysis or paresis" (Glennen & DeCoste, 1997, p. 772). Assistive Technology (AT): "the use of aided tools to improve the skills, abilities, lifestyle, and independence of individuals with disabilities. Eyeglasses, hearing aids, Braille codes, bathroom and kitchen aids, wheelchairs, and AAC devices are examples (Glennen & DeCoste, 1997, p. 772). Ataxia: Total or partial inability to coordinate voluntary body movements affecting balance, gait, etc. Augmentative communication: "Any approach designed to enhance an individual's already existing speaking skills" (Flippo et al., 1995, p. 57). Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC): "Aided or unaided communication modes used as a supplement to or as an alternative to oral language, including gestures, sign language, picture symbols, the alphabet, and computers with synthetic speech (Glennen & DeCoste, 1997, p. 772). Central Nervous System: Consists of the brain and spinal cord. Cognitive-communication impairment: "Communication difficulties associated with traumatic brain injuries that stem from deficits in cognitive processes that support language performance (e.g., memory, attention, organization, abstract reasoning, flexibility of thought)" (Hux, 2000). Compensatory strategies: "Deliberate, self-initiated application of sometimes unconventional procedures to achieve desired goals" (Wehman, West, Johnson, & Cifu, 1999, p. 336). Devices: "Any item, product, or pieces of equipment that is used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Devices may be acquired commercially, modified or custom-made" (Davies, 2000). Direct selection: An access method that allows the user to indicate choices directly by pointing with a body part or technology aid to make a selection" (Glennen & DeCoste, 1997, p.773). Dysarthria: "A speech disorder in which the person has weakness or incoordination in the musculature used for speech production (e.g., the musculature of the lips, tongue, jaw, neck, voice box, diaphragm)" (Hux, 2000). Dysphagia: Difficulty with swallowing. Encoding method: "Way information is represented on system for message programming and retrieval. Most often represented graphically" (Flippo et al., 1995, p. 59). Executive functioning: Overall control of cognitive functioning. For example, planning, initiation, and memory. Flaccid: "Decreased muscle tone; flabby or limp muscles" (Hux, 2000). High Tech: "AAC systems that contain micro-computer components and allow for the storage and retrieval of message information" (Glennen & DeCoste, 1997, p. 774). Hypernasality: Excessive nasal resonance. Hyponasality: Inadequate nasal resonance. Jargon: Nonsense words. Low Tech: "Communication systems that are non-electric or use electric components that are not computer based (e.g., picture communication boards, alphabet boards, eye gaze boards, light pointers, switch-activated tape recorders" (Glennen & DeCoste, 1997, p. 773). Mixed dysarthria: Exhibiting any of following in the speech mechanism: abrupt or involuntary movements, and decreased or increased muscle tone of the speech muscles. Paresis: Weakness or partial paralysis. Paralysis: Loss of movement. Peripheral Nervous System: Nerves extending from the CNS to the extremities of the body. Rancho Los Amigos Scale of Cognitive Functioning: "An eight point scale used for identifying the level of a head injury survivor's functioning" (Hux, 2000). Rigidity: "Muscles on both sides of the joint are activated simultaneously, creating a stiff, extended limb" (Radell, 1997, p. 196). Scanning: "An indirect method of AAC or computer access. The process entails stepping through choices that the user selects by switch activation. In general, scanning involves the use of a symbol array, a keyboard emulator, and one or more switches" (Glennen & DeCoste, 1997, p. 778). Services: "Any service that directly assists an individual in the selection acquisition or use of an assistive technology device" (Dawes, 2000). Spasticity: Uncontrolled contractions of muscles in certain movement patterns. Telegraphic speech: Use of content words, eliminating function words (e.g., articles, prepositions, adjectives). Traumatic Brain Injury:
"An insult to the brain, not of degenerative or congenital nature caused
by an external physical force that may produce an diminished or altered
state of consciousness, which results in an impairment of cognitive abilities
or physical functioning" (Brain Injury Association, Inc.).
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