Eye Gaze Technology: A Tool for Children to Communicate, Connect and Play

Presenter(s)

Event Details

Topic:

augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Format:

lecture

Subject Level:

beginner

Age Span:

infant / toddler
preschool
kindergarten - grade 6
grades 7-12

Target Audience:

AT specialist

educator
family member / caregiver

occupational therapist

speech language pathologist

Professional Development Credits

IACET CEUs:

.01 CEU

ACVREP CEs:

1 CE

Presentation Length: 1 hour

Location:

Atrium 7

Description:

It is well documented in the literature that children with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at risk across many developmental areas. These risks increase exponentially for children who also have significant physical disabilities and communication impairments. For those with significant physical disabilities, who use communication technology, and who have functional vision, eye gaze technology is, and can be, transformative. Case studies will be used to provide concrete examples of how children are using eye gaze to not only develop language and communicate as they independently access communication applications and speech generating devices, but also to play and interact with applications on tablets. All of these have profound positive impacts on individuals’ independence, relationships with others, participation in daily life, and quality of life.

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify at least 2 scenarios when eye gaze technology should be explored with children.

• Identify at least 3 interactive applications that children can access using eye gaze on tablets.

• Identify at least 3 ways to use eye gaze technology with children.

Disclosures:

Jill has participated in the Irisbond Feedback Community Loan program to get access to some devices for testing some of the eye gaze devices mentioned in the presentation. Irisbond covers Jill's registration fees for this event.