Supporting executive functions with a picture application : speech- and occupational therapists views on usefulness
Tuomisto, Petra (2021)
Tuomisto, Petra
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021052812068
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021052812068
Tiivistelmä
Neuropsychiatric diagnosing and the amount of diagnosis has risen significantly over the past years. This has led to long queues to specialized care and therapy. One reason for needing therapy is problems with executive functioning. Executive functions mean psychic processes, that help the individual to function goal oriented according to situation.
This study presents an application-protype designed to support executive functions with pictures. Purpose of this study was to test this prototypes usefulness in therapy work and to get development ideas for the future. Prototype was tested with seven therapists for two weeks. Views on usefulness and development ideas were collected with an online questionnaire. Results were analyzed with content analysis.
Results show that the prototype was seen useful in occupational- and speech therapists work. It made therapist work easier, faster and gave the possibility to react to changing situations better. Most therapists gave development ideas as the visual design and functions did not suit all of their needs. This application-prototype seemed to work well in therapeutic use and with the given development ideas it would ease therapist workload and replace the use of physical pictures in supporting executive functions. In the future it could also be used not just by therapist but clients themselves which would transfer skills learned in therapy to everyday life.
This study presents an application-protype designed to support executive functions with pictures. Purpose of this study was to test this prototypes usefulness in therapy work and to get development ideas for the future. Prototype was tested with seven therapists for two weeks. Views on usefulness and development ideas were collected with an online questionnaire. Results were analyzed with content analysis.
Results show that the prototype was seen useful in occupational- and speech therapists work. It made therapist work easier, faster and gave the possibility to react to changing situations better. Most therapists gave development ideas as the visual design and functions did not suit all of their needs. This application-prototype seemed to work well in therapeutic use and with the given development ideas it would ease therapist workload and replace the use of physical pictures in supporting executive functions. In the future it could also be used not just by therapist but clients themselves which would transfer skills learned in therapy to everyday life.