Maria Borgestig1,2, Patrik Rytterström1, Helena Hemmingsson1. 1. a Department of Social and Welfare Studies , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden. 2. b Folke Bernadotte Regional Habilitation Centre and Department of Women´s and Children´s Health , Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe and explore parents' experiences when their children with severe physical impairments receive gaze-based assistive technology (gaze-based assistive technology (AT)) for use in daily life. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted twice, with one year in between, with parents of eight children with cerebral palsy that used gaze-based AT in their daily activities. To understand the parents' experiences, hermeneutical interpretations were used during data analysis. RESULTS: The findings demonstrate that for parents, children's gaze-based AT usage meant that children demonstrated agency, provided them with opportunities to show personality and competencies, and gave children possibilities to develop. Overall, children's gaze-based AT provides hope for a better future for their children with severe physical impairments; a future in which the children can develop and gain influence in life. CONCLUSION: Gaze-based AT provides children with new opportunities to perform activities and take initiatives to communicate, giving parents hope about the children's future.
OBJECTIVE: To describe and explore parents' experiences when their children with severe physical impairments receive gaze-based assistive technology (gaze-based assistive technology (AT)) for use in daily life. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted twice, with one year in between, with parents of eight children with cerebral palsy that used gaze-based AT in their daily activities. To understand the parents' experiences, hermeneutical interpretations were used during data analysis. RESULTS: The findings demonstrate that for parents, children's gaze-based AT usage meant that children demonstrated agency, provided them with opportunities to show personality and competencies, and gave children possibilities to develop. Overall, children's gaze-based AT provides hope for a better future for their children with severe physical impairments; a future in which the children can develop and gain influence in life. CONCLUSION: Gaze-based AT provides children with new opportunities to perform activities and take initiatives to communicate, giving parents hope about the children's future.
Authors: Petra Karlsson; Tom Griffiths; Michael T Clarke; Elegast Monbaliu; Kate Himmelmann; Saranda Bekteshi; Abigail Allsop; René Pereksles; Claire Galea; Margaret Wallen Journal: BMC Neurol Date: 2021-02-10 Impact factor: 2.474