Mapping the features of applied cognitive technology for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

This research project aimed to map two constructs. The first construct was the technology features of employment-related Applied Cognitive Technology (ACT) for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), referred to throughout the thesis as the technology features. The second construct was cognitive functions. Cognitive functions are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF, World Health Organization, 2002). Their classification was used throughout the thesis. The project had four phases which used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze the data. The first phase identified relevant studies and investigated the effectiveness of the technology use through employing meta-analysis. The second phase comprised of a second meta-analysis extending the previous one by focusing on the impact of different types of technology and work settings. The third phase listed the technology features by extracting them from the phase one and two studies through thematic analysis. The fourth phase investigated, via a survey, two areas: Area one investigated whether the intention of the authors’ of these studies in their selection of technology features was to enhance cognitive functions. Area two investigated which technology features were used by the authors to enhance each cognitive function referenced by the authors. A map of these constructs was generated to present the findings of Area two. The results showed that overall technology use was effective based upon the study sample. The more sophisticated types of technology were shown to be more effective and included a wider range of features than the low types of technology. A list of 109 technology features was generated and grouped into 14 different categories. Finally, it was found that Attention, Memory, and Higher Level Cognitive Function were predominantly associated with the majority of the technology features. A distinct pattern of clusters was demonstrated based upon the data. The main cluster was found to consist of these three cognitive functions primarily being associated with the "Output" technology features. This thesis’s primary contributions were (a) the formation of a shared understanding and common language for ACT and (b) support with matching suitable ACT features to a specific individual. Conceptualizing ACT technology features in cognitive terms as per the ICF promotes the formation of a shared understanding and common language for ACT researchers, support professionals, and users in the international community regarding these constructs. Mapping these two constructs can later be used to assist both individuals with IDD and stakeholders to prescribe the employment-related ACT that best meets the individual’s needs for a given employment task.