The familiar image of the disabled tends to emphasize their limitations and reduced quality of life. However, many people with cognitive, motor, and other difficulties also have the capacity to enhance their social interactions, leisure pursuits and daily activities with the aid of assistive technology. Assistive devices from the simple to the sophisticated, have become essential to intervention programs for this population. And not surprisingly the numbers of devices available are growing steadily.Assistive Technologies for People with Diverse Abilities offers expert analysis of pertinent issues coupled with practical discussion of solutions for effective support. Its comprehensive literature review describes current and emerging devices and presents evidence-based guidelines for matching promising technologies to individuals. Program outcomes are assessed, as are their potential impact on the future of the field. In addition, chapters provide detailed descriptions of the personal and social needs of the widest range of individuals with congenital and acquired conditions, including:Acquired brain damage.Communication impairment.Attention and learning difficulties (with special focus on college students).Visual impairment and blindness.Autism spectrum disorders.Behavioral and occupational disorders.Alzheimer's disease.Severe, profound and multiple impairments.The scope and depth of coverage makes Assistive Technologies for People with Diverse Abilities an invaluable resource for researchers, professionals and graduate students in developmental psychology, rehabilitation medicine, educational technology, occupational therapy, speech pathology and clinical psychology.

Examines assistive technology interventions from multidisciplinary perspectives across nine areas of disability

Chapter 1. Assistive Technologies for Improving Quality of Life; Giulio E. Lancioni, Nirbhay N. Singh.- Chapter 2. Assistive Technology for People with Acquired Brain Injury; Mandy Rispoli, Wendy Machalicek, Russell Lang.- Chapter 3. Assistive Technology for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities; Russell Lang, Sathiyaprakash Ramdoss, Jeff Sigafoos, Vanessa Green, Larah van der Meer, Amy Tostanoski, Allyson Lee, Mark O'Reilly.- Chapter 4. Assistive Technology for People with Communication Disorders; Jeff Sigafoos, Ralf W. Schlosser, Giulio E. Lancioni, Mark F. O'Reilly, Vanessa A. Green, Nirbhay N. Singh.- Chapter 5. Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Impairments and Blindness; Austin M. Mulloy, Cindy Gevarter, Megan Hopkins, Kevin S. Sutherland, Sathiyaprakash T. Ramdoss.- Chapter 6. Assistive Technology for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders; Russell Lang, Sathiyaprakash Ramdoss, Tracy Raulston, Amarie Carnet,            Jeff Sigafoos, Robert Didden, Dennis Moore, Sam DiGangi, Mark O'Reilly.- Chapter 7. Assistive Technology for People with Behavior Problems; Mark O'Reilly, Giulio E. Lancioni, Jeff Sigafoos, Russell Lang, Olive Healy, Nirbhay N. Singh, Audrey Sorrells, Soyeon Kang, Heather Koch, Laura Rojeski, Cindy Gevarter.- Chapter 8. Assistive Technology For People With Alzheimer's Disease; Nirbhay N. Singh, Giulio E. Lancioni, Jeff Sigafoos, Mark O'Reilly, Alan S.W. Winton; Chapter 9. Assistive Technology for Individuals with Learning Disabilities; Diane P. Bryant, Brian R. Bryant, Min Wook Ok.- Chapter 10. Assistive Technology for People with Severe/Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities; Giulio E. Lancioni, Nirbhay N. Singh, Mark F. O'Reilly, Jeff Sigafoos, Doretta Oliva.