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Access: Preparing for the ATP Exam

Access: Preparing for the ATP Exam
Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
August 27, 2016
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ATP Certification

Now the ATP certification, or assistive technology professional, is a certification offered through RESNA. It is designed to demonstrate a basic level of competence in this practice area. Currently, over 4,000 people hold this certification, and this series of courses includes information to help people, interested in this certification, to prepare for the examination. Before sitting for this certification, the candidate, or an occupational therapist with a Bachelor's and Master's degree,  has to fulfill specific prerequisites; about a thousand hours of work experience is required over six years. There is more information on their website, and I have listed the link here about specific eligibility requirements.

HAAT Service Delivery Model

One of the topics covered by this examination is the subject of access. In our previous course in this series, we talked about assessment. A great deal of that assessment course went into depth about the HAAT service delivery model. The HAAT model was originally proposed in the Assistive Technology book by Cook and Hussy. Under the HAAT model, we have the Human Technology Interface. This is something that is addressed quite a bit on the examination.

Under the Human Technology Interface is something called the input device, or control interface. It provides input to the AT device, or provides control of the AT device. Therefore, when we say "access methods" per the HAAT model, this is referred to as either the input device or the control interface. Again, just try to remember that this provides input to that assistive technology device, or controls a system technology device.

Access Methods

In Figure 1, this young man is using a switch to provide input to a switch-adapted radio.

 

Figure 1. Switch adapted radio.

There are a variety of access methods that are available, and this is important, because this allows us to match the most appropriate access method to an individual's unique skill sets. These access methods include: direct, mouse, joystick, eye gaze, voice, and switch. To present these various access methods, we are going to do so by assistive technology device. Now, many of these devices are covered in more depth later in this series. What we are going to focus on in this particular course, is the access method itself. We will go into more detail in terms of the applications of that access method in those assistive technology specific modules.


michelle lange

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS

Michelle is an occupational therapist with 25 years of experience and former Clinical Director of The Assistive Technology Clinics of The Children’s Hospital of Denver. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally and has authored 7 book chapters and over 175 articles. She is the editor of Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, 4th ed. Michelle is on the teaching faculty of RESNA and the University of Pittsburgh. She is on the RERC on Wheeled Mobility Advisory Board. Michelle is a credentialed ATP, credentialed SMS and is a Senior Disability Analyst of the ABDA.



Related Courses

Sensory Technologies: Preparing for the ATP Exam
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar
Course: #2630Level: Introductory1 Hour
The RESNA Assistive Technology Professional certification examination includes questions from a variety of content areas. One of those areas is Sensory Technologies. This module will cover the content area including technologies for people who are hard of hearing, deaf, have low vision, are blind or who are deaf blind.

A New Era: From EADLs to Alexa!
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar
Course: #3699Level: Intermediate1 Hour
Electronic Aids to Daily Living provide an alternative means of controlling devices, primarily within the home environment, including audiovisual equipment, lighting, and thermostats. Advances in consumer home automation technologies have opened new control opportunities for people with disabilities. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.

Dynamic Seating
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar
Course: #3093Level: Intermediate1 Hour
Dynamic seating has four primary functions – to allow movement, to diffuse force, to protect the client, and to protect the seating system and mounting hardware. This course will take a look at the product options, discuss clinical indicators and contra-indicators for dynamic components and present case studies to illustrate these points.

Positioning the Head
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar
Course: #3098Level: Intermediate2 Hours
This course will discuss various strategies to optimize head position. First, we will explore strategies beyond the head support, including specific positioning interventions and addressing visual issues. Second, we will explore posterior head supports in depth, matching specific features to client needs. Third, we will explore other options which may be required if posterior support alone is inadequate, including anterior head support.

Positioning the Pelvis
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar
Course: #3157Level: Intermediate1 Hour
The position of the pelvis very much determines the position of the trunk and lower extremities and so achieving and maintaining the optimal position is critical. This course will present common pelvic asymmetries with suggested strategies to address each challenge. Providing as neutral a pelvic position as possible improves overall posture, stability and function.

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