Question
What are some ways the you can use an iPad as a therapeutic intervention?
Answer
Only 54% of American adults with disabilities use the Internet as compared to 81% of those without a disability*. This can be due to many factors, but most likely a combination of either economics or accessiblity. The goal of an occupational therapist is to maximize their client's engagement in occupation. The iPad is a great tool to achieve this at a relatively minimal cost.
Some of the goals that could be incorporated into treatment planning include:
-identify ways to incorporate the use of the iPad to increase client functioning (school, work, leisure)
-select apps relevant to the specific client population
-write letters of medical necessity to try to secure funding
An iPad is a lightweight, touch screen, tablet computer that uses wireless local area networks to access the Internet. At minimum, it can help a client:
-access the internet
-read/ send e-mails
-listen to music
-read the news
-local newspaper
-book reader
-Maps/GPS
-photo album
With its built-in accessiblity features in conjunction with apps on the market, it has numerous programs to help those with disabilities. Some examples include: Voiceover, zoom/screen magnification, large text, white on black interface, speak-auto text, BlueTooth, and Siri/Voice activiation.
In the future, your clients will require or demand you to know how to infuse this mainstream technology into therapy.
* Pew Research Center Report
Continued and its subsidiaries provide professional education authored by qualified Subject Matter Experts for continuing education purposes. These materials are intended for educational purposes and do not constitute medical advice or a substitute for individual clinical judgment. Continued is not a clinical healthcare provider; the licensed professional is solely responsible for ensuring that the application of any techniques or information presented is within their legal scope of practice and jurisdictional requirements.
