Our team at CreateAbility is always examining challenges in the IDD space from the perspective of technology. While we know that technology should never be a total replacement for the meaningful connection that DSPs have with their person served; we understand how technology can help DSPs optimize their time and save agencies money. Most importantly, technology allows people with IDDs the opportunity to spread their wings a little, gain more independence, and feel more safe/confident when not in the presence of their care provider.
So naturally, when reading the “Positive Behavior Support Training Curriculum” by Dennis Reid and Marsha Parsons, we were thinking of our current solutions, as well as the ones we are working on in the background, and how they fit into the framework of “positive behavior supports”.
Their definition of positive behavioral supports is a multifaceted one that helps support people with disabilities:
- Enjoy their lives as much as possible.
- Live as independently as they can in the ways that they choose.
- Create a life where they live, work, and play similarly to people without disabilities.
- Overcome problem behaviors that prevent these goals.
Below you will find a quick reference chart that lists these goals, what products support them, and explains HOW it benefits/supports each goal:
| SOLUTIONS | LIFE ENJOYMENT /SATISFACTION | INDEPENDENCE | LIFE SIMILAR TO W/O DISABILITIES | OVERCOMING PROBLEM BEHAVIORS |
| MeMinder | X | X | X | X |
| Employment Suite | X | X | X | X |
| Evalu8NOW | X | X | ||
| avatalk | X | X | ||
| OnTracker | X | X | X | X |
| Flourish | X | x | X |
MeMinder: Affords people with IDDs who have the goal of gaining/keeping their independence a prompting system that delivers the alerts and instructions necessary to accomplish the days to-do’s. Having this guidance each day helps them overcome behaviors stemming from anxiety and frustration with their disability. When the level of independence they seek is accomplished – it increases life satisfaction and helps them live similarly to people without disabilities.
Employment Suite: This MeMinder-for-work app basically mirrors the benefits that MeMinder achieves applicable to the work environment.
Evalu8NOW: Evalu8NOW grants care providers and clinicians the ability to measure factors within the lives of the people they serve between office visits. How does this play into positive behavioral supports? Behavioral issues often have indicators that can be recognized before they occur. This system of avatar-led, standardized assessments can provide the data they need to help their clients ward off behavioral and emotional crises and take a proactive approach to their individual care plans. In addition, Evalu8NOW offers out-of-the-box surveys that measure their satisfaction with life including their residence, care providers, employment, and more.
avatalk: This talking avatar communication platform allows non-intrusive check-ins with clients in a way they find fun and engaging. It can be used to bridge gaps in remote monitoring and offers an additional layer of monitoring that allows them to gain/keep their independence. avatalk’s additional photo-showcasing feature allows loved ones/care providers the ability to send photos, messages, artwork and other forms of creative communication to their device; providing closer ties to their circle-of-care, combatting isolation – and increasing life satisfaction.
OnTracker: This technology solution is all about overcoming challenging behaviors! OnTracker teaches people with IDDs how to self-regulate their emotions by identifying personal triggers and boundaries and to refocus on thoughts and actions that are in alignment with their goals. Overcoming challenging behaviors helps individuals with IDDs improve their soft skills which, in turn, increases life enjoyment and [independence] allows them to live life as those without disabilities do.
Flourish: Everyone establishes and works to achieve goals in life – people with IDDs are no different! This user-friendly app and corresponding dashboard help care providers set up succinct, measurable goals for the people they serve and creates a path to monitor their progress. In addition, it provides a platform to display what motivates/offsets them and their interests that they can carry like an ID to help their care providers work best with them. Achieving goals and improving relationships with their care providers = increased life satisfaction and living life more independently.
For more information about any of CreateAbility’s assistive technology solutions, please email us at info@createabilityinc.com.
