The Psychologist - Assistive Technology Assessment - page 172

Summary of the Chapter
This chapter deals with the role and the competencies of the psychologist in a center for
technical aid. The lapse of the psychologist's role in ATA is probably due to the noncoding
of personal factors in the ICF. In viewing the psychologist as the “specialist” on personal
factors, the authors call for a revision of the ICF so that in the biopsychosocial model, the
“psycho” does not remain as just a prefix. The psychologist in the center has the goals
to support the user's request in the user-driven process as well as to act as a mediator
between users seeking solutions and the multidisciplinary team. He or she also acts to
build a team spirit and enhance the relationship between the client and his or her home
environment. Finally, an original study closes the chapter, focusing on psychologists and
professionals' representations of disabled users/clients and ATs.
Acknowledgments
Fabio Meloni, Stefano Federici, and Aldo Stella contributed equally to this study, except for
Section 8.6, which was edited by Claudia Mazzeschi, and Section 8.7, which was edited by
Barbara Cordella, Francesca Greco, and Massimo Grasso.
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