Abstract

LINO, Thaís Breternitz; MARTINEZ, Luciana Bolzan Agnelli; BOUERI, Iasmin Zanchi  and  LOURENCO, Gerusa Ferreira. Effects of the Use of Assistive Technology Devices to Promote Independence in Daily Life Activities for a Child with Cerebral Palsy. Rev. bras. educ. espec. [online]. 2020, vol.26, n.1, pp.35-50.  Epub Feb 12, 2020. ISSN 1980-5470.  https://doi.org/10.1590/s1413-65382620000100003.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation process of Assistive Technology resources to perform the feeding activity of a child with cerebral palsy. A five-year-old child with dystonic cerebral palsy and his mother were the participants. The target activities were feeding and intervention that occurred at their home. Data were collected by the following instruments: Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory; Gross Motor Function Classification System for Cerebral Palsy; Manual Abilities Classification System; script to characterize the participant; descriptive and event logging protocols; and a social validation questionnaire. Interventions were performed with three activities for feeding independence: sitting at the table, using the glass and the cutlery. The activities comprised the multiple baseline design between behaviors in four phases: baseline, intervention, maintenance and follow up. The sessions were recorded on video for analysis and help level scoring in the event protocol. Score of the help level in the protocol of events. It was evidenced that the use of Assistive Technology resources enhances the autonomy and independence of the child with cerebral palsy, demonstrating the effectiveness of the use of the resource, corroborating the literature.

Keywords : Special Education; Assistive Technology; Cerebral Palsy; Occupational Therapy.

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