A map of assistive technology educative instruments in neurodevelopmental disorders

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Assistive Technology

Background:

• Interest in assistive technology for mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders has grown significantly.
• Numerous studies explore technological interventions for rehabilitating children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
• This article maps technological devices used as therapeutic instruments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify technological applications serving as educational instruments for managing children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), intellectual disability, and attention deficit disorder.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of available assistive technologies for therapeutic use.
• To guide therapists in selecting appropriate tools for specific rehabilitation goals.

Main Methods:

• A structured literature search was conducted in electronic databases.
• Keywords included "Assistive Technology", "technology devices", "robots", "Autism Disorder", "Intellectual Disabilities", and "Mental Retardation".
• Articles were reviewed to identify technological devices used in therapy.

Main Results:

• Assistive technologies help children with intellectual disability and ASDs improve cognitive skills, behavior, social communication, and academic performance.
• Various technological tools enhance attention span and time management for children with attention deficit syndrome.
• The review maps a wide array of available assistive technologies.

Conclusions:

• Therapists must select instruments that best align with set therapeutic goals.
• Technology offers safer, predictable environments for children's practice and learning.
• Assistive technologies promote self-help skills and social interaction, extending therapeutic strategies to home settings for personalized rehabilitation.