Who is the Hand Held Laser For?

Who Might Benefit from Using a Hand Held Laser?

a. PEOPLE WITH LIMITED HAND MOVEMENT

Some people may not have the strength, or range of motion to move their hand across a small communication board. However, they may still be to point using a hand held or hand mounted laser pointer. (Check out the product videos tab to see examples of people with limited hand movement using lasers)

b. PEOPLE WITH SIGNIFICANT NECK WEAKNESS

Some people (for example, some individuals with bulbar onset ALS) may develop weak neck muscles, but still retain good hand function.  They may be able to point to a small communication board using a finger. However, pointing with their finger means that they  constantly have to be looking down at the board in order to communicate. This can be tiring, and put a strain on the neck.

If a person with a weak neck uses a hand held laser pointer, and a larger size communication board, they can sit or recline in a comfortable position, and not have to look down at a board in order to communicate.

c. PEOPLE WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM USING A CORE VOCABULARY BOARD, BUT HAVE DIFFICULTY DUE TO VISUAL ISSUES

Let’s say a person wants to use a core vocabulary communication board (such as AlphaCore), but has visual issues, and difficulty reading the font.  One approach would be to use a small communication board with less “targets” (for example, a communication board with just the letters of the alphabet on it.)

Another approach would be to use an enlarged version of AlphaCore, along with a handheld laser pointer. (Using a core vocabulary system can be MUCH faster than spelling out everything letter by letter).

d. PEOPLE WHO USE A LASER TO POINT TO OBJECTS

For example:

a. Roger spends a good deal of his day in a lift chair. He uses his laser to point to objects.

  • Pointing at the light switch means "turn the lights on or off "
  • Pointing at the thermostat means "please adjust the heat"
  • Pointing a

b.  Jeannette uses her laser while she is gardening. She uses it to point out snails to her caregiver, or flowers that need pruning...  (She used to try and point with her finger, but her caregiver wasn't sure what exactly she was pointing at.)