Measuring the Assistive Technology Match - Assistive Technology Assessment - page 56

TABLe 3.1
MPT Assessment Process and Forms
• Step One: Initial Worksheet for the MPT Process is organized by areas in which persons may experience
loss of function (e.g., speech/communication, mobility, hearing, and eyesight) or have important
strengths. It identifies initial goals and areas to strengthen through the use of a technology (or other
support/strategy) or environmental accommodation. Potential interventions supportive of the goals are
written in the space provided on the form. When a new technology is being introduced to a person, it is
better to work from an area of strength. Each item should be addressed, regardless if a professional
believes it is relevant for this individual or not. You never know what connection will be triggered or
what observations will be recollected that will affect later decision-making.
• Step Two: History of Support Use is used to identify supports used is the past, satisfaction with those
supports, and why a new type of support may be better than alternatives. It is organized according to the
same areas of functioning as the initial worksheet in step one.
Although steps one and two do focus on the “separate parts” of the individual, it is believed that
unless each area is addressed, key barriers to optimal technology use may be missed. For example, when
you focus on communication and are about to recommend a device that requires very good vision, and
that has not been assessed, there may be problems if the person does have significant vision loss. The goal
is to emphasize the whole person and do a comprehensive assessment considering the whole person,
environments of support use, and so on, but to achieve this by considering in turn the many parts that
comprise the whole and their relationship to one another.
• Step Three: Specific Technology Matching. The individual completes his or her version of the appropriate
form depending on the type of technology under consideration. The modular nature of the assessments
allows for the use of one, two, or more forms as well as sections of forms. The individual versions of the
Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment and Cognitive Support Technology Device Predisposition
Assessment have the option for computerized scoring with interpretive guidelines.
•General:
Survey of Technology Use-Individual
Survey of Technology Use-Professional
A 29-item checklist that inquires into the respondent's present experiences and feelings toward
technologies. The questions ask individuals to list all of the different technologies they use and feel
comfortable using, the idea being that the introduction of a new technology should build upon and
capitalize on existing comfort and skill. Individuals are also asked to provide information about areas
regarding their general mood and preferences and social involvement that have been found in research
to impact a favorable predisposition toward technology use. The professional version is identical to the
students' version.
•Assistive:
Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment-Individual
Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment-Professional
The ATD PA inquires into individuals' subjective satisfaction with key body functions (9 items), asks
individuals to prioritize aspects of their lives in which they desire the most positive change (12 items),
profiles individuals' personal factors and psychosocial characteristics (33 items), and asks for
individuals' opinions regarding their expectations regarding the use of a particular type of assistive
device (12 items). The scales are labeled view of capabilities, subjective quality of life, family support,
support from friends, mood and temperament, autonomy and self-determination, self-esteem, and
readiness for technology use. The final section allows for the comparison of competing devices and
rates the device and person match. The ATD PA (professional form) allows the professional to
determine and evaluate incentives and disincentives to the use of the device by a particular person.
•Cognitive Support:
Cognitive Support Technology Device Predisposition Assessment-Individual
Cognitive Support Technology Device Predisposition Assessment-Professional
The CST PA is structured like the ATD PA above, but it has an additional six items in body functions
focused on Specific Mental Functions:
•Paying attention, not getting distracted
•Remembering information about people or events