Skip to main content

Exploiting Assistive Technologies for People with Down Syndrome: A Multi-dimensional Impact Evaluation Analysis of Educational Feasibility and Usability

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNAI,volume 12462))

Abstract

Despite the potential benefits that Assistive Technologies (AT) could provide for People with Down Syndrome (PDS) and Intellectual Disabilities (PID), research and implementation of emerging AT for learning has mainly focused on developing adaptive accessible solutions and evaluating cognitive function. Unlike the parallel, but equally important role, of all stakeholders and factors involved in PDS and PID support and learning including medical practitioners, families and professionals, have not received adequate attention. This paper describes an interdisciplinary collaboration and multilevel evaluation focusing both on investigating the potential improvement of PDS memory performance after participating in cognitive training sessions. Cognitive assessment in 20 PDS working memory performance was conducted, whereas questionnaires were distributed to 29 relevant stakeholders evaluating the possible correlation between educational feasibility and usability of the AT introduced. Overall, the results showed that there was a significant improvement on PDS memory performance and significant positive correlation in between different variables of AT educational feasibility and usability.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. United Nations Development Program. United Nations: Disability Inclusive Development in UNDP. Guidance and entry point (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Weijerman, M.E., de Winter, J.P.: Clinical practice the care of children with Down syndrome. Conseq. Down Syndrome Patient Family 169, 11 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  3. ECNP: Down Syndrome and other genetic developmental disorders network (n.d.). Accessed 1 June 2019. https://www.ecnp.eu/research-innovation/ECNP-networks/List-ECNP-Networks/Down-syndrome

  4. Jacobs, P., Baikie, A.G., Strong, J.A.: The somatic chromosomes in mongolism. Lancet 273(7075), 710 (1959)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Nadel, L. (ed.): The Psychobiology of DS. Issues in the Biology of Language and Cognition. The MIT Press, Cambridge (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chapman, R., Hesketh, L.: Behavioral phenotype of individuals with DS. Ment. Retard. Dev. Disabil. Res. Rev. 6(2), 84–95 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Daunhauer, L.A., Fidler, D.J., Will, E.: School function in students with down syndrome. Am. J. Occup. Ther. 68(2), 167–176 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Buttimer, J., Tierney, E.: Patterns of leisure participation among adolescents with a mild intellectual disability. J. Intellect. Disabil. 9(1), 25–42 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Gates, B., Atherton, H.: Learning Disabilities: Toward Inclusion. Elsevier Health Sciences, London (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Acedo, M.T., Herrera, S.S., Traver, M.T.: Las TIC como herramienta de apoyo para personas con Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA). Revista de Educación Inclusiva 9(2-bis), 102–136 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Chen, S.S., Bernard-Opitz, V.: Comparison of personal and computer-assisted instruction for children with autism. Ment. Retard. 31(6), 368 (1993)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Ahmad, W.F.W., Muddin, H.N.B.I., Shafie, A.: Number skills mobile application for Down syndrome children. In: International Conference on Computer and Information Sciences on Proceedings, pp. 1–6. Convention Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Ortega-Tudela, J.M., Gómez-Ariza, C.J.: Computer-assisted teaching and mathematical learning in down syndrome children. J. Comput. Assist. Learn. 22(4), 298–307 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Black, B., Wood, A.: Utilising information communication technology to assist the education of individuals with DS. Technical Report: The DS Educational Trust, Portmouth, UK (2003). Accessed https://scinapse.io/papers/2167202491

  15. Cano, A.R., Fernández-Manjón, B., García-Tejedor, Á.J.: Using game learning analytics for validating the design of a learning game for adults with intellectual disabilities. Br. J. Educ. Technol. 49(4), 659–672 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Cinquin, P., Guitton, P., Sauzéon, H.: Online e-learning and cognitive disabilities: a systematic review. Comput. Educ. Elsevier 130, 152–167 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Rus, S., Braun, A.: Money handling training-applications for persons with down syndrome. In: 12th International Conference on Intelligent Environments (IE) on Proceedings, London, 2016, pp. 214–217 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Felix, G.V., Mena, J.L., Ostos, R., Maestre, E.: A pilot study of the use of emerging computer technologies to improve the effectiveness of reading and writing therapies in children with Down syndrome. Br. J. Edu. Technol. 48(2), 611–624 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Shafie, A., et al.: “SynMax”: a mathematics application tool for down syndrome children. In: Zaman, H.B., Robinson, P., Olivier, P., Shih, Timothy K., Velastin, S. (eds.) IVIC 2013. LNCS, vol. 8237, pp. 615–626. Springer, Cham (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02958-0_56

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  20. Bargagna, S., et al.: Computer-based cognitive training in adults with down’s syndrome. In: Stephanidis, C., Antona, M. (eds.) UAHCI 2014. LNCS, vol. 8514, pp. 197–208. Springer, Cham (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07440-5_19

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  21. Buchner, T., et al.: Paving the way through mainstream education: the interplay of families, schools and disabled students. Res. Pap. Educ. 30(4), 411–426 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Lendrum, A., Barlow, A., Humphrey, N.: Developing positive school–home relationships through structured conversations with parents of learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). J. Res. Spec. Educ. Needs 15(2), 87–96 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. West, E., Pirtle, J.: Mothers’ and fathers’ perspectives on quality special educators and the attributes that influence effective inclusive practices. Educ. Train. Autism Dev. Disabil. 49(2), 290–300 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Falkmer, M., Anderson, K., Joosten, A., Falkmer, T.: Parents’ perspectives on inclusive schools for children with autism spectrum conditions. Int. J. Disabil. Dev. Educ. 62(1), 1–23 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Bysterveldt, V.A., Westerveld, M., Garvis, S.: Parents’ and teacher aides’ perceptions and expectations of the language and communication abilities of children with Down syndrome. Speech Lang. Hear. 22, 1–12 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Vaughan, M., Henderson, A.: Exceptional educators: a collaborative training partnership for the inclusion of students with Down’s syndrome. Support Learn. 31(1), 46–58 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Moats, L.C., Farrell, M.L.: Multisensory structured language education. In: Birsh, J.R. (ed.) Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills, pp. 23–41. Paul Brookes Publishing, Baltimore (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Sorden, S.: A cognitive approach to instructional design for multimedia learning. Inform. Sci. Int. J. Emerg. Transdiscipl. 8, 263–279 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  29. IMS Global Homepage. https://www.imsglobal.org/accessibility/accessiblevers/sec3.html. Accessed 29 Mar 2020

  30. Web Accessibility Initiatives Homepage. https://www.w3.org/WAI/. Accessed 29 Mar 2020

  31. LLM Care Homepage. www.llmcare.gr/en. Accessed 29 Mar 2020

  32. BrainHQ Homepage. www.brainhq.com. Accessed 29 Mar 2020

  33. wFitForAll Homepage. www.fitforall.gr. Accessed 29 Mar 2020

  34. Bamidis, P.D., et al.: Gains in cognition through combined cognitive and physical training: the role of training dosage and severity of neurocognitive disorder. Front. Aging Neurosci. 7, 152 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Romanopoulou, E., Zilidou, V., Savvidis, T., Chatzisevastou-Loukidou, C., Bamidis, P.: Unmet needs of persons with down syndrome: how assistive technology and game- based training may fill the gap. Stud. Health Technol. Inform. 251, 15–18 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  36. O’Neill, B., Gillespie, A.: Simulating naturalistic instruction: the case for a voice mediated interface for assistive technology for cognition. J. Assist. Technol. 2(2), 22–31 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Metaxa, M., et al.: Enhancing verbal working memory of persons with down syndrome through a digital game: an experimental approach. In: 8th Hellenic Society for Biomedical Technology on Proceedings, p. 69, Athens, Greece (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Miller, G.A.: The magical number seven, plus or minus two: some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychol. Rev. 63(2), 81 (1956)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. DS Leisure Homepage. www.dsleisure.eu. Accessed 29 Mar 2020

  40. Metaxa, M., et al.: Co-creating innovative tools with and for people with intellectual disabilities: the case of DS leisure e-training platform. In: OpenLivingLab Days Conference “Co-creating Innovation: Scaling-up from Local to Global” on Proceedings, Thessaloniki, Greece, pp. 115–126 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Wechsler, D.: Manual for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Psychological Corporation, New York (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Gillespie, A., Best, C., O’Neill, B.: Cognitive function and assistive technology for cognition: a systematic review. J. Int. Neuropsychol. Soc. 18(1), 1–19 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Rowe, J., Lavender, A., Turk, V.: Cognitive executive function in down’s syndrome. Br. J. Clin. Psychol. 45(1), 5–17 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Panagiotis Bamidis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Ethics declarations

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Dratsiou, I., Metaxa, M., Romanopoulou, E., Bamidis, P. (2020). Exploiting Assistive Technologies for People with Down Syndrome: A Multi-dimensional Impact Evaluation Analysis of Educational Feasibility and Usability. In: Frasson, C., Bamidis, P., Vlamos, P. (eds) Brain Function Assessment in Learning. BFAL 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 12462. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60735-7_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60735-7_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-60734-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-60735-7

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics