Development of Web-Based Learning Media on Behavior Management to Enhance Activities of Daily Living for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The aim of this project was to create an evidence-based learning media designed to address the behavior issues of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with activities of daily living. Composed of two phases, the first phase used eight school based occupational therapists identify the challenge with daily tasks and behavior management strategies for intervention. After the data was analyzed, the learning media was developed and reviewed by the therapists, content experts and 90 parents of autistic children.

Training Program to Modify Manual Wheelchairs to Simplified Power Wheelchairs for Community Dwelling Elderly People and Caregivers.

Mobility aids, particularly power wheelchairs, are necessary for elderly individuals who have health problems and disabilities. However, there is a limitation in providing power wheelchairs for such people in the community. The objectives of this study were to develop a prototype for a simplified power wheelchair and develop and evaluate a training program that has the potential to encourage evaluation and modification of the wheelchair for the elderly and their caregivers in the community.

Development of Learning Media for the Elderly to Promote Child Health in the Community.

The purpose of this study was to develop learning media for the elderly to promote child health. The participants consisted of 172 elderly people aged 60 years and older in a suburban village of northern Thailand. This study consisted of a survey questionnaire and focus group discussions and was divided in to two phases: (1) exploring the needs of the elderly in the knowledge of child health and (2) developing learning media, so that the elderly can learn how to promote child health and evaluate its efficiency in the trial process.

Development and Usability Testing of an Emergency Alert Device for Elderly People and People with Disabilities.

The objectives of this study were to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an emergency alert device for elderly people and people with disabilities by usability testing. There were two phases in this study: (1) development of a prototype for an emergency alert device and (2) usability testing of the device. Results presented development of the prototype, which comprised parts for sending and receiving signals.

Active Ageing Level and Time Use of Elderly Persons in a Thai Suburban Community.

Elderly populations are growing rapidly worldwide, thus enhancing an increasing need for their independent health care, productivity, and most importantly, balance of occupations. This research is aimed at investigating the active ageing levels and time use patterns of an elderly population attending the Community Elderly School in a suburban village of northern Thailand. These participants comprised 140 persons aged 60 years and older and were without cognitive deficits, based on the Mini-Mental State Examination.

Facilitators and Barriers of Assistive Technology and Learning Environment for Children with Special Needs.

The purpose of this research was to study the facilitators and barriers of assistive technology (AT) and the learning environment for children with special needs in special education schools in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The informants were one hundred and sixteen children with special needs, who studied in nursery to Grade 12, or with their caregivers. The instrument was a questionnaire applied by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and examined for content validity by five specialists.

Information Management for the Assistive Technology Provision in Community: Perspectives of Local Policymakers and Health Service Providers.

Background: Assistive technology (AT) is a way to enhance the performance of daily activities in people with disabilities and help them live more independently. However, an important problem in providing AT lies in the effectiveness of information management. Local policymakers and health service providers have become aware of this problem and their perspectives are the key to solving it.

Home Features and Assistive Technology for the Home-Bound Elderly in a Thai Suburban Community by Applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health.

The ageing population is having an impact worldwide and has created a serious challenge in Thailand's healthcare systems, whereby healthcare practitioners play a major role in promoting independent interaction of their client's abilities, as well as environmental factors. The purpose of this study was to survey features of the home and assistive technology (AT) for the home-bound elderly in the community of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Home evaluation included features inside and outside the home, and AT was based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) concept.

Development and Reliability of the Basic Skill Assessment Tool for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The purpose of this study was to improve upon the first version of the basic work skills assessment tool for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and examine interrater and intrarater reliability using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The modified tool includes 2 components: (1) three tasks measuring work abilities and work attitudes and (2) a form to record the number of verbal and nonverbal prompts. 26 participants were selected by purposive sampling and divided into 3 groups-group 1 (10 subjects, aged 11-13 years), group 2 (10, aged 14-16 years), and group 3 (6, aged 17-19 years).

Model of Providing Assistive Technologies in Special Education Schools.

Most students diagnosed with disabilities in Thai special education schools received assistive technologies, but this did not guarantee the greatest benefits. The purpose of this study was to survey the provision, use and needs of assistive technologies, as well as the perspectives of key informants regarding a model of providing them in special education schools. The participants were selected by the purposive sampling method, and they comprised 120 students with visual, physical, hearing or intellectual disabilities from four special education schools in Chiang Mai, Thailand; and 24 key informants such as parents or caregivers, teachers, school principals and school therapists.