Social Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disability and on the Autism Spectrum through Assistive Technologies: Current Needs and Future Priorities.
Context: Contemporary technologies, such as mainstream and specialised Assistive Technologies (ATs), are seen as effective. However, there is a noticeable gap between technological progress and the ability to customise these technologies to meet the unique needs and characteristics of neurodivergent...
| Publicado en: | Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology Vol. 20; no. 4; pp. 917 - 930 |
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| Autores principales: | , , , , , , , , |
| Formato: | pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
Taylor & Francis Ltd
May2025
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=185198469&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 185198469 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 17483107 1X04 jtl: Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology issn: 17483107 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: May2025 vid: 20 iid: 4 pid: 377 pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania artinfo: ui: 185198469 180442963 185198469 185198469 10.1080/17483107.2024.2414414 185198469 ppf: 917 ppct: 13 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Social Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disability and on the Autism Spectrum through Assistive Technologies: Current Needs and Future Priorities. aug: au: Sousa, Carla Tsvetkova, Paulina Pérez-Fuster, Patricia Agius, May Kostova, Snezhana Bolesta, Karolina Megda Garcia, Flávia Nanchen, Benjamin Tkaczyk, Alan H. affil: Lusófona University, CICANT, Lisbon, Portugal sug: subj: Autism Spectrum Disorder Psychosocial Factors Intellectual Disability Psychosocial Factors Autism Spectrum Disorder Rehabilitation Intellectual Disability Rehabilitation Social Inclusion Assistive Technology Assistive Technology Devices Human Qualitative Studies Thematic Analysis International Relations Empowerment Questionnaires Communication Stigma Health Services Accessibility Program Implementation Needs Assessment Funding Source ab: Context: Contemporary technologies, such as mainstream and specialised Assistive Technologies (ATs), are seen as effective. However, there is a noticeable gap between technological progress and the ability to customise these technologies to meet the unique needs and characteristics of neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the Autism Spectrum and people with Intellectual Disability (pwID). Purpose: The goal of this study is to investigate the present requirements and future priorities acknowledged by specialists in the field regarding the progress of social inclusion for this population, making use of ATs. Methods and results: A qualitative survey involving 24 international experts, and its respective thematic analysis reveals challenges in social inclusion, emphasizing communication and physical accessibility, awareness gaps, and stigma. Concurrently, issues surrounding ATs include limited access, insufficient training, and a lack of awareness and skills, with individuals, and families being inadequately involved. Conclusion and implications: The study proposes strategies for overcoming these challenges, with a focus on accessibility, awareness, skills, family involvement, and customization. Identified research needs encompass scientific development, inclusive approaches, and changes in technological development paradigms. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Customization and Accessibility of Assistive Technologies (ATs): The research emphasizes the critical gap between existing ATs and their alignment with the needs of people with Intellectual Disability (pwID) and those on the autism spectrum. This is crucial for rehabilitation since its effectiveness is based on the consideration of individual requirements. In this sense, the present study involves enhancing the adaptability of technologies to support varied communication styles and learning abilities, thereby promoting greater independence and participation in daily activities, also through rehabilitation. Policy and Infrastructure Development: In an innovative manner, the study points out the systemic challenges, including inadequate policies and lack of support infrastructure, that hinder the effective use of ATs. For rehabilitation practices to be impactful, there is a need for policy reform and infrastructure development that prioritizes the provision and integration of ATs into education, employment, and community living. This includes ensuring funding for AT acquisition, creating inclusive educational and work environments, and improving public spaces to accommodate the needs of pwID and on the autism spectrum. Involvement of Individuals and Families in the AT Development Process: The paper highlights the limited involvement of individuals with ID and on the autism spectrum, and their families, in the process of developing and selecting ATs. Therefore, an important implication for rehabilitation is the need to adopt a person-centred approach that actively involves these individuals and their families in decision-making processes and, whenever possible, in co-creation processes. This approach ensures that AT solutions are better suited to the users' preferences, challenges, and daily life contexts, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of technological aids in supporting social inclusion and autonomy. Adoption of Qualitative, In-Depth Methods in AT Research: The adoption of qualitative research methods in disability and health research significantly contributes to the development of human-centred, context-driven, and personalized technologies and rehabilitation strategies. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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