Engaging in play through assistive technology: Closing gaps in research and practice for infants and toddlers with disabilities

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The importance of play for all infants and toddlers should not be underestimated. However, owing to barriers and tensions in Assistive Technology (AT) in early intervention, opportunities are often limited for infants and toddlers with special needs to play, and where early intervention exists, it is slow to develop with AT. This chapter first discusses the importance of play and then draws attention to some issues and tensions that limit play and AT in early intervention for infants and toddlers with special needs. It then discusses how crucial it is to explore the potential of play for infants and toddlers with disabilities and gives research and practice-based suggestions to enact the spirit of the law: the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA): Part C - Early Intervention program for infants and toddlers using AT. It concludes with some thoughts for the future of AT through research, early intervention play-based practices, and on-going education and development of early intervention providers and parents of infants and toddlers with special needs.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAssistive Technology Research, Practice, and Theory
PublisherIGI Global
Pages207-221
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9781466650169
ISBN (Print)146665015X, 9781466650152
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 31 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Sciences(all)

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