Technology impacts every aspect of our lives from transport, health, and safety, to food access, productivity, and entertainment. It even influences the way we meet and communicate with people. There is a myriad of top tech for children living with disabilities to help them live life to the fullest. It is obvious that technology has an even bigger impact on the lives of children with special needs, such as the approximately 500,000 children in the USA living with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
Top Tech For Children Living With Disability
Apart from making it easier for children to perform basic daily tasks, technology can also mean the difference between being accepted or being rejected in a social context. Apart from mobile apps aiding in learning, and assistive technology improving a child’s quality of life, high-tech toys can provide entertainment that will leave a child increasingly happy and relaxed which has proven to be vital for their wellbeing.
Mobile apps have unlimited potential
Mobile apps have skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years, with more than 250 million app downloads taking place every day between 2019 and 2020. For children living with a disability, mobile apps can provide access to a wonderful world of learning and leisure. Augmentative and alternative communication (ACC) apps such as Proloquo2go and SoundingBoard are great tools for children who have speech impairments or are completely non-verbal. Apps that are focused on education can make learning considerably easier. Some of the top choices include First Words Deluxe and LetterSchool. In addition to these, there is also a multitude of apps aimed at keeping children living with disabilities entertained.
High-tech toys can provide hours of entertainment
A computer or smartphone loaded with videos, music and suitable games can provide hours of entertainment to a child with special needs. It is important to ensure that the content is not only age-appropriate, but also won’t trigger seizures in at-risk children. Depending on the extent of a child’s disability, tech toys such as remote-controlled cars, electric train sets, and interactive soft toys can all qualify as popular toy choices. There is also a large variety of more traditional CP kids toys, such as kinetic sand, sit ‘n spin’s, kitchen playsets, and building blocks that can be offered alongside high-tech options for a more holistic play experience.
Assistive technologies improve quality of life
Children with disabilities that affect their speech, movement, vision, and hearing can benefit greatly from assistive technologies that are designed to address specific concerns. Sesame Enable is an innovative application that allows a user to control a smartphone with only head movements. Children with a visual impairment will find substantial value in the Livescribe Echo Smartpen, which features a camera, speaker, and microphone. Another popular piece of technology is the Talkitt: This is My Voice device, which makes communication for children with speech impairments easier by converting the child’s speech patterns into a verbal output that is easy to recognize.
Children living with disabilities brought on by conditions such as cerebral palsy can benefit greatly from having access to a range of technologies in the form of toys, apps, and assistive devices. Not only can these technologies improve learning and communication, but they can aid relaxation as well.
That's really interesting!
ReplyDeleteSuch technologies will benefit them, allowing them to have equal opportunities to learn. :)
DeleteGood to have all these things to teach one's special kids.
ReplyDeleteTrue. So technology does help to equal the playing field to a certain level.
DeleteIf used correctly, technology is very helpful.
ReplyDeleteTrue that. So we have to make sure to use correctly. :D
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