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Assistive Devices Resource Service (ADRS)

Assistive Devices Resource Service is a consultative, assessment, caseload-management and mediator-based service. ADRS enables or assists ErinoakKids children and youth with physical, developmental and communication disabilities to maintain or improve physical function to attain their personal goals in the areas of:

On This Page

What Does ADRS Involve?

Referral Process and Criteria

ADRS Resources


What Does ADRS Involve?

ADRS aims to address assistive technology and seating and mobility needs of children and youth within their daily environments in collaboration with the child’s family mediator and multiple service providers.

Professionals on the ADRS team will assess your child and determine appropriate assistive technology or seating and mobility aids for clients. Moreover, our ADRS team empowers families and school professionals to become experts at effectively and successfully assisting your child in the use of their identified assistive technology or system within their natural environment.

ADRS also provides information, mentorship and consultation on assistive devices and technology to ErinoakKids staff, clients and families, as well as to external professionals and community agencies. 

Mobility Aid Vendors

assistive device

Referral Process and Criteria

The primary focus of ADRS is on home-based client needs. ADRS does not accept referrals for school-only based needs. ADRS is accessed through both internal and external referrals initiated by clinicians in collaboration with families.

There are three types of referrals available for ADRS: 

  1. Face-To-Face Communication – for clients who cannot communicate clearly with speech alone
  2. Writing Aids – for clients who have difficulty with handwriting or straight forward typing
  3. Adapted Access – for clients who are not able to use their fingers to point to or push buttons, including buttons to access computers, face-to-face communication devices or power wheelchair controls 
Face-To-Face Communication Referrals

A face-to-face communication system is for individuals who struggle to communicate verbally. They may be non-verbal or they may be verbal, but their speech is very difficult for communication partners to understand, and so they need an augmentative alternative communication (AAC) system to help them communicate with others in face-to-face situations.

Referral Criteria for Face-to-Face:

  • Little to no speech or speech that is very difficult to understand
  • Communicate intentionally
  • Use a minimum of 20 different symbols (e.g. picture symbols, consistent gestures, signs and/or words/word approximations) to communicate in more than one environment
Writing Aids Referral

Some individuals may need a writing aid to support their written communication needs. An AAC system for writing is for those who have difficulty using a pen or pencil to write due to a physical disability. Their handwriting might be illegible, or they may suffer from pain/fatigue with traditional handwriting and can’t keep up with the speed needed for every day writing tasks.

To be referred for writing aids, the client must have a documented physical disability. If their primary diagnosis is a learning disability (i.e. dyslexia or autism), wherein there is no definite physical component to the diagnosis, they are not eligible for ADP funding for writing aids.

Referral Criteria for Writing Aids:

  • Between the ages of 6 - 18 years
  • Documented physical disability (not a primary learning disability) that makes it difficult to use pen and paper or regular keyboard and mouse to meet their writing needs
  • Able to form complete thoughts with letters and/or symbols

    -OR-
     
  • Under 6 years
  • Documented physical disability (not a primary learning disability) that makes it difficult to use pen and paper or a regular keyboard and mouse 
Adapted Access Referral

Adapted access may involve using a switch, a joystick or eye scanning in order to activate desired keys/buttons/locations on a screen. Someone may require an adapted switch if they are not able to directly target keys on a keyboard with a finger (for example). There are adapted access options for face-to-face AAC systems, writing aid systems and even adapted access for toys (although not fundable through the Assistive Devices Program).

To be referred for adapted access, the client must have a documented physical disability. If their primary diagnosis is a learning disability (i.e. dyslexia or autism), wherein there is no definite physical component to the diagnosis, they are not eligible for ADP funding for adapted access.

Referral Criteria for Adapted Access:

  • Children or youth with a documented diagnosis of a physical disability (not a primary learning disability)
  • Require complex switch access and set-up at home to allow access to the computer and/or technical toys (i.e. switch adapted toys)

ADRS Resources and Workshops

We have a growing list of free resources you can download. We also offer helpful workshops for parents and caregivers. 

Resource and Workshops Page