Mike Thrussell

Company Director

Our Assistive Technology lead, Mike is MSc-qualified with 10+ years in Assistive Tech. He leads projects, presents at conferences, and supports his autistic son’s communication.

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Recent Posts

The Readiness to Learn Ladder in Assistive Technology Intervention

Effective assistive technology (AT) intervention is not just about selecting the right tool, but about ensuring the learner is ready to use it. The concept of Readiness to Learn (RTL) provides a simple but powerful lens: before introducing new tools or strategies, we must ensure the learner’s body, mind, and environment are in a state where learning is possible. Drawing on models like HAAT, SETT, and the Participation Model, we can frame RTL as a ladder of precursors: The RTL Ladder 1. Seati

Mike Thrussell

08/09/2025·2 min read

Get Them While They're Young: The Case for Early AT Intervention

Don't Wait - The Clock's Ticking Let's get straight to it: early childhood is prime time for learning. From birth to around five years, children experience peak neuroplasticity; a period when they're naturally wired to absorb language, motor skills, and social learning (ecoparent.ca). By age three, synaptic density peaks, and environment-driven pruning follows. The brain's at its most flexible, curious, and hungry for information. Miss this window, and that extraordinary learning capacity star

Mike Thrussell

08/07/2025·3 min read

Assistive Technology: Improving Quality of Life Through a First-Principles Approach

Assistive Technology (AT) is fundamentally about improving quality of life. While arguments are often made around transferable skills and independence, the heart of AT is simpler, yet deeper—it's about facilitating intentions and enhancing the everyday experiences of disabled individuals. Why We Do It: Beyond Independence There's a common assumption in AT that the ultimate goal is independence—often measured against societal expectations set by non-disabled norms. However, we need to re-exami

Mike Thrussell

28/03/2025·3 min read