Gadgets as a Therapy Tool: A Multi-Generational Solution
Mobile devices have made it possible to do so much more from anywhere in the world. You can get a college degree without ever leaving your couch, order groceries without ever standing in a checkout line, kids are going to high school without stepping foot in a classroom. So much about mobile technology makes us think of it as an evil, sedentary advancement that’s going to make the population more obese and instill complete and utter laziness in future generations. Or is it?
Tech Gadgets Promote Engagement
Tech gadgets are doing the opposite of that in many settings – in fact, they’ve become a valuable therapy tool that spans across all generations in therapy applications. While the concept of being able to do from your couch what you would ordinarily be trekking around buildings and campuses to accomplish does paint a picture of inactivity, devices like smartphones and tablets can actually be highly engaging. Even the business world is finding meaningful ways to use mobile applications – and a tactic known as gamification – to engage the workforce, recruit talent and interact with customers.
So engaging, in fact, that they’re easing many of the challenges of communication for autistic children. Kids who once couldn’t express their wants or needs can now share their feelings and emotions with loved ones. Autistic children are especially prone to danger in many settings due to their limited communication skills, so iPads and other devices provide a vehicle to assist parents in communicating rules and safety precautions.
Children who were once so frustrated at their own inability to communicate that they had tantrums that were incredibly difficult for parents to are given this incredible gift that suddenly allows them to interact with their loved ones in a whole new way. And they don’t just rely on their tablets for the rest of their lives – some applications are actually designed to promote the development of communication skills.
Technology Establishes Its Value in Education
Tech gadgets promote learning in the non-autistic population, as well. Schools are increasingly using tablets and other tech devices in the classroom setting. Students are given set time frames with access to devices and are limited to specific programs and applications. In many cases, games are used to enhance the educational concepts taught using traditional instructional methods.
Parents can also buy tablets designed for kids that are more durable and have additional safety features built in, such as parental controls and locked parent administrative areas. These tablets often have features like a learning platform where kids can complete various educational games and activities to earn points or currency, which they can then exchange for more applications. These devices provide a more educational alternative for children who prefer television or video games as leisure activities – and they provide a valuable distraction for long car trips.
An article at Wired Academic highlights an application that takes it one step further: The Be You Innovation Lab, which the article describes as “using mobile to hack education,” combines self-direction with a homeschool-like setup where students can pursue their educational requirements through engaging activities in line with their personal interests. This idea isn’t quite mainstream yet, but it’s gaining momentum.
Motion-Sensing Video Games Take Therapy by Storm
It didn’t take long after the Nintendo Wii gaming system made its debut for innovative physical therapists to realize its vast potential in the clinical field. Both the Wii and the Xbox Kinect are used in physical therapy centers and senior living communities across the U.S. and overseas as a more engaging way for seniors, injured and disabled adults to participate in therapy. With a wide range of games and programs available for these gaming systems, therapists are able to find a targeted program for patients with a variety of needs and range of motion limits.
But gadgets help seniors in other ways, too. As more seniors are demanding amenities like Wi-Fi access in senior living communities, there are more activities and workshops emerging that teach residents how to use modern tech devices. But don’t think seniors aren’t savvy – seniors and baby boomers actually make up 38 percent of the gaming population, reaping benefits like boosting their cognitive memory and reduced feelings of social isolation.
Clearly, there are many uses for mobile devices outside of the unconstructive, mindless games that sometimes smear their reputation. But the responsible use of any tech gadget – and the obtainable value – is really up to the user. For parents, educators, and other professionals, the possibilities are endless.
