Assistive Technology Use with the Birth to Three Population: A Rural Perspective

Abstract

Previous research found infants and toddlers, age birth to three, capable of using assistive technology (AT), and the Federal Government mandates that AT be considered when a team creates an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Although this is an ideal time to introduce and begin AT use, practitioners use little AT with this population. Rural states have unique challenges to AT use. Through interviews, practitioners in West Virginia shared their experiences with AT use with this young population. Although there are barriers, one practitioner summed up the consensus of the group. “I think that excellence of service can and in many cases is being provided in West Virginia despite the fact that it is very rural.”