Assistive Technology provides a
range of services and supports to help children and adults
reach their full potential and participate in community life.
Within the department, various specialists work as a team.
Among other things, they help individuals exercise choices
and function more effectively in a variety of environments.
They provide services in community settings as well as at Board
of MR/DD locations.
Speech-Language Services All people, regardless of the extent or severity of their disability,
have a basic right to affect, through communication, the conditions
of their existence. To this end, speech-language pathologists
provide services that help improve communication between individuals
and their communication partners.
Speech-Language Services include assessment, intervention,
problem-so9lving and family/caregiver/staff training. These
services are available to both children and adults and may
be provided in a variety of settings—schools, adult activities
centers, homes and community locations.
Augmentative/Alternative
Communication
Our AAC unit includes speech-language pathologists with extensive
augmentative experience and an adapted computer specialist. They
can assess an individual's ability to utilize voice output communication
systems, symbols and switches to effectively communicate with
others. Then they can help select an appropriate communication
device when an individual is found to be a candidate for technology,
fabricate the system and train individuals and their partners
in their environment to effectively use AAC. They can also facilitate
funding and coordinate maintenance/repair activities through
ongoing trouble shooting and contact with vendors.
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Occupational and Physical Therapy
Overall, our occupational and physical therapists function
as members of a team to assist in determining activities
appropriate for an individual’s level of functioning.
Their services may include evaluations, equipment adaptations
and recommendations to supplement home-based, classroom and
adult programming. They may provide input in the areas of
positioning, feeding, mobility and a variety of functional
fine, gross and sensorimotor activities.
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