Liberty POST-Abilities program provides Assistive Technology (AT) assessments for children currently receiving Early Intervention services through Liberty POST Syracuse. The assessment includes review of the child’s abilities and their environment including home, school, and community settings. Findings may indicate further involvement of discipline specific specialties including PT, OT or SLP’s depending on the child’s unique needs. Should the child qualify for services, family training services are recommended to collaborate with the child’s current Early Intervention team to problem solve, implement selected AT solutions, make modifications, create adaptations and monitor progress.
Empowering Families through Home Adaptations
Through the Syracuse POST-Abilities program, expert clinicians provide ideas and materials to support families in the challenges their child has been experiencing and provide adaptations and modifications to fully access their daily living environment through Assistive Technology supports.
Assistive Technology for infants and toddlers is defined as any item that helps increase the independence and functioning of a child. AT can help with positioning and mobility, communication, play and interaction, learning, and self-help. It includes a wide range of items from simple adaptations such as utensils with built-up handles to more sophisticated devices such as wheelchairs, standers, communication devices, and many more. Assistive Technology may include off the shelf equipment purchased locally and adapted to allow children with disabilities access play, increase independence and improve participation in daily routines and activities.
POST-Abilities utilizes Assistive Technology as a service to assist children and their families to:
- Assess adaptive equipment needs
- Select adapted equipment
- Acquire adapted equipment
- Implement and adapt equipment
- Receive training
- Facilitate community connections
Assistive Technology solutions may benefit special needs children with the following conditions:
Cerebral Palsy · Spina Bifida · Spinal Cord Injuries · Cephalic Disorders · Muscular Dystrophy · Chromosomal Abnormalities · Autism · Communication Disorders · Deafness · Hearing Impaired · Legally Blind · Eye Disorders · Cortical Visual Impairment · Seizure Disorders · Global Developmental Delays
POST-Abilities Services:
Goals:
- AT evaluation (WATI based AT checklist) which includes review of records, assessment of the child’s environments, family’s concerns and needs, interview and collaborative consulting with current IFSP service providers.
Should the child qualify for AT services:
- Consult with other POST-Abilities team members as needed for specialty areas.
- Present AT plans and ideas to family and IFSP team.
- Obtain and/or modify materials; utilize community connections
- Implement trial materials
- Revise and adapt materials as needed
- Train family/IFSP team in use of materials as appropriate
- Reassess AT plan and revise as needed
