AT Assessment (Who, What, Where, When, and Why)

I thought it was appropriate in my first research article blog to address the specifics of AT assessment. Why is it needed, who should do it, how to implement, and what data is needed to support the funding request. I chose an article published on Closing the Gap website titled "Assistive Technology Assessment: Are our assessment strategies providing the needed information?", by Jane Korsten.

I decided to blog about this article because I feel that the "process" of AT assessment is crucial to actual use of the AT device. Knowing how to effectively assess, implement, and reassess AT use is key to functional performance of the client and proper AT device use. Another key point in the article is the use of the "team" of various disciplines to decide AT needs. For an example, a client named Frank was admitted to the hospital rehab unit after suffering a right CVA that resulted in left side hemiplegia. During the OT evaluation, Frank sets his own personal goals for recovery to include his tasks, interests, abilities, and needs for functional performance. His goal is to be able to ambulate around the house and to the mail box without the use of a wheelchair or assistance from his wife. Frank has made significant progress while in inpatient rehab. He is now able to walk for short distances, but fatigues and looses his balance on occasion. On a weekly "team" meeting of OT, PT, nurse, RT, case worker, and the physician; AT is addressed as part of Frank's discharge. The team discuses his current level of recovery from right CVA and feel that a standing walker would support Franks continued recovery and reduce the risk of fall due to fatigue and balance issues.

Observing the client use the AT device in the "natural environment" is tale tell sign that the assessment and implementation process was effective. In the example above, after Frank's discharge from inpatient care, a home visit could be accomplished to assess safety issues and observe Frank ambulate within his home and to his mail box. The example gives an excellent example of how a multidisciplinary approach was used to address Frank's AT needs and resulted in highly effective AT services. Finally, the article talks about using a framework for gathering and reporting information to include an understanding of how it will be used to guide selection of devices and services needed to support implementation. We are already learning this in class. By using the team approach and following AT models such as HAAT, SETT, Education Tech Points, MPT, and Unifying Functional Model, an more effective AT process is developed.