Kim Adams, PhD, PEng, ATP

About

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Research

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Teaching

Dr. Adams has a research affiliation with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and collaborates with the I Can Centre for Assistive Technologies. This creates a clinical linkage that supports the evaluation and further development of assistive technology applications. This affiliation has developed research that is grounded in clinical practice.  For instance:

Using low-cost robots – Due to the high cost of industrial or educational robots ($10,000 or more), the benefits seen in previous studies was limited to the lab. We have been using Lego Mindstorms Robotic Invention System™ ($300) as an inexpensive tool that children with a motor impairment can use in school or at home to control play or learning activities.  In addition, they can build switch skills that will be used in controlling other assistive technology such as wheelchairs and augmentative communication systems.  

Virtual Robots – Even low cost robots can be difficult to distribute in some areas, such as developing nations where the cost of even the most inexpensive robots is out of reach. We have evaluated the use of an on screen virtual robot, which will potentially provide the same type of interaction as demonstrated with a physical robot.

Integrating robots with other Assistive Technology – Children who use speech generating devices for their complex communication needs often have to put the device aside to play unlike typical children who talk while they play. We have evaluated how the integration of spontaneous robotic play and communication can enhance the play and learning environment for the child.

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This research stream investigates how to make assistive technology interfaces and robots easier to control by children with disabilities.  Current research includes non-invasive brain-computer interfaces to make play accessible even to children who cannot use other access methods (like eye gaze, head pointing).  Also, we are using learning from demonstration techniques to reduce the need to pre-program for every possible play activity.  

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AT for Academics – Early studies completed by the Assistive Technology Lab demonstrate that by using robots, children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy can reveal skills that had not been previously measured. Recent research completed by Dr. Adams explored the use of augmentative communication devices to control Lego robots to access the standard math measurement curriculum. Participants were able to demonstrate their level of understanding of math concepts, increased proficiency and learned new concepts.

AT for Play – The use of AT and robotics provides an opportunity for children with disabilities to interact with their peers and participate in play, an activity often taken for granted with typically developing children. Research completed by the AT Lab has found that children demonstrate positive changes in behavior, social and language skills following robotically assisted play and interaction. Current research being completed by a PhD student in the AT Lab explores robotically assisted play as both a cognitive and motor activity.

AT for Cognitive Development – Research completed by the AT Lab has found that children with severe motor impairment such as cerebral palsy were able to display more sophisticated cognitive skills through manipulating the robot than in traditional standardized cognitive tests. The AT Lab is has compared the performance of robot-facilitated tasks completed by typically developing children with children who have motor impairments.

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This research stream focuses on making AT available to people with disabilites within an international context. Ongoing international research collaboration has led to replication of Canadian studies, investigation of cultural and socioeconomic implications for AT application.

Past research completed by the AT Lab in Colombia explored the use of relevant, available technology (mobile phones) for improving information access and reducing social isolation, particularly for people with disabilities and their families.

2. Adams, K., Rios Rincon, A., Becerra, L., Castanellos, J., Gomez, M., Cook, A. M., & Encarnação, P.

British Journal of Occupational Therapy (BJOT). 2017 January; Special Issue on Assistive Technology (2017)

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1. Sakamaki, I., Adams, K., Gomez, M., Castanellos, J., Tavakoli, M., Jafari, N., Janz, H.

Assistive Technology. 2017 January; 2017

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Barlott T, Adams K, Diaz FR, and Molina MM

Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2015 January; 10 (4):347-54

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12. Adams, K., & Cook, A.

Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2014 January; 9 (3):231–241

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G. Piedade, A.M. Cook, K. Adams, I. Gil, C. Maya, L. Azevedo, A.R. Londral, S. Rodrigues

Everyday technology for Independence and Care. 2011 January;