Developing assistive technology strategies for infants and toddlers with communication difficulties.
Communication is a process that begins at birth and continues throughout life. For young children with developmental delay or disability, the acquisition of expected communication skills may be compromised. Compromised communication skills, in turn, may lead to additional challenges when participating in daily activities and routines, forming social relationships, and developing independence. Assistive technology (AT) is one means by which a child's current communication skills can be expanded and enhanced within the child's natural environment. Increased awareness by both parents and professionals of the availability of AT has led to the inclusion of AT strategies within routine day-to-day early intervention practices. This article briefly highlights early aspects of communication development in typically developing infants and toddlers, then provides a framework through which AT strategies can be identified and utilized by parents and professionals to improve a child's existing communication skills.
Reinhartsen
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Clinical Center for the Study of Development and Learning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599, USA.
Edmondson
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Crais
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D002657:Child Development; D002663:Child Language; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings; D013070:Speech Therapy; D014705:Verbal Behavior