PEAT
The Planning and Execution Assistant and Trainer

Overview
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Overview

PEAT™ is a handheld computer system that provides cueing and scheduling assistance for individuals with memory, attention, and cognitive disorders. PEAT users include patients with traumatic brain injury, stroke, hypoxia, neurodegenerative conditions including MS, Alzheimer's disease and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The key difference between PEAT and other reminder systems is Flexibility!

Other systems require someone to replan and update the schedule data when changes occur, but real-world activities are often rescheduled, cancelled, or replaced. Many activities are not scheduled for specific times, but must occur within given time ranges. These flexible activities cannot be represented by other calendar and cueing systems.

PEAT was designed by a NASA robotics researcher who developed automatic planning software to increase robot autonomy with simulated executive functions. PEAT is the only reminder system that automatically monitors and adjusts the user's schedule in response to changing situations.

PEAT is an electronic memory notebook that includes familar notebook sections for calendar, names, and notes data with cross-reference links between them.

 PEAT's touch-sensitive screen can be used with the included stylus (pen) or a finger.

     

To help users stay on task, a unique cue card display presents information about only the current activity, providing reminder cues to start and stop scheduled and scripted activities. The cue card also presents direct links to name and note cards, personalized voice recordings, and digital pictures which are linked to the current activity. 

When the user responds to cues or modifies the calendar, PEAT automatically detects and corrects scheduling problems.

Increased independence at home, work, school, and around town!
This exciting product offers true independence for individuals with cognitive disorders by providing flexibility to adjust to changing schedules in the real-world without a caregiver.

PEAT is the most advanced cognitive aid available, combining artificial intelligence with graphical displays, touchscreen controls, personalized verbal and audio cues, and other features designed to compensate for cognitive, perceptual, and motor deficits.

PEAT includes four manuals plus training exercises:

The PEAT Reference Manual provides a guide to configuring PEAT.

The Administrator's Guide - describes how to install PEAT and how to copy data between PC PEAT and Pocket PEAT.

The Treatment Guide and Workbook includes worksheets that walk therapists and caregivers through PEAT configuration and treatment. Topics covered include how to identify a user's needs, how to develop an activity model of their daily activities, how to choose hardware and accessories, and how to configure PEAT for different users.

The Training Manual combines tutorials with interactive exercises about how to use PEAT.

Technical Support

• PEAT software is pre-installed onto the Pocket PC hardware
• Custom Consulting Services
• Five hours of consultation for customizing PEAT to meet individual needs 
• Consultation on hardware options and accessories
• Unlimited software upgrades and technical support

Unique Features of PEAT

Executive functions increase flexibility needed for independence!

PEAT's patented methods compensate for executive function deficits such as initiation, perseveration, planning, and error correction, which are extremely common with cognitive disorders. PEAT is the only treatment option designed to assist with the full range of executive functions by not only reminding users, but also detecting and correcting schedule conflicts.

PEAT's flexibilty to adjust to changes means it is the only system that offers true independence to operate in an uncertain and changing world, because other systems require a caregiver to replan and modify the schedule data when changes occur.


A Better Fitting Cognitive Orthotic

PEAT provides the best fitting cognitive orthotic because the Activity Model and User Interface  can be tailored to meet individual needs.

    The Activity Model describes the user's activites. Other calendar systems only allow "non-slip" tasks with inflexible start times, however real-world activities including floating tasks with flexible start times, and multi-step scripted procedures. PEAT's activity model allows you to specify these other types of "real-world" activities to achieve a better "fit" between the orthotic and the user's activities.  Different types of user activities that can be defined in PEAT include:

• Standard tasks - tasks with fixed start times).
• To Do tasks - scheduled for specific days, but have no specific start time.
• Floating tasks - can be scheduled anytime in a specified time window.
• Activity scripts - hierarchical task sequences that help break high-level, multi-step activities into smaller steps.

    The User Interface is highly flexible and can be configured many different ways to meet individual needs and capabilities. Options include the ability to remove any button that might confuse a user, and the ability to block user access to view or modify data.

A key to success with PEAT is the proper selection of these user interface options for each individual. User interface options  inlcude:

• Cue types can be chosen from a wide range of multimedia cueing options, including customized voice or audio recordings and personalized digital pictures.

• Highly-impaired users may be locked into the Cue Card section only  - so they only see reminders for one event at a time, while others may have the ability to view the calendar and note info, but not modify it, and yet other users may have full access to all features.
  
  
• High-functioning users may override cues by starting and stopping them early, and by delaying, skipping, rescheduling, and cancelling them, while others may have the "cue override" features turned off.
  
  
• Cross-reference links between calendar tasks, name cards, and notes make it easy to access related information stored in different notebook section.
  
  
• Extra large text and pictures help users with visual or motor problems.

PEAT is always paying attention -- anytime, anywhere!

• Increases user flexibility, independence, and confidence
  
  
• Enables users to complete more activities on time with less help
  
  
• Provides a 'virtual caregiver' 24 hours per day
  
  
• Specialized for individuals with a wide range of cognitive, sensor, or motor deficits.
  

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Comments from PEAT Users, Caregivers, and Therapists

Thanks for a great product!-- J.H. Boston, MA

PEAT has made a tremendous difference in my life.. -- R.C. San Jose, CA

I need my PEAT! -- R.K. El Paso, TX

PEAT is not your average scheduling software -- Pocket PC Magazine, Nov. 2002

Since I started using PEAT, the slope of my improvement has increased a lot.... PEAT has become a liberating addition to my life. I have had problems with my memory, and PEAT has helped keep me focused. It keeps all the information I need in one spot and I like the reminder cues.... PEAT is great for people with head injuries because it gives us that little something extra when we need it. -- J.H. San Francisco, CA

You have a great product, with...unique, useful features. And configurable? Wow! Keep up the good work! -- J.K. Omaha, NE

The trial version is very impressive. After just reading the instructions and a few minutes of programming, I was using it without any problems. In the future, it will be nice to be able to assuredly say to my Clients, 'Yes, you will benefit from purchasing PEAT.'" -- A.C. Richmond, KY