Overview

     An audio reminder is an electronic device programmed to make a specified noise at a predetermined time. Audio reminders can be as simple as a typical alarm clock, but can also get much more sophisticated if needed. Audio reminders are well-documented to help facilitate self management skills. The purpose of audio reminders is to cue a behavior at a certain time, such as getting out of bed at 6:30 in the morning or taking medicine at 5:00 pm. Audio reminders reduce the amount of strain on the individual’s memory and provide structure to a routine.

      Audio reminders have been studied heavily in the medical field as patient aids to either take medication or engage in a prescribed exercise (Vervloet et al., 2012). One literature review by Vervloet and colleagues showed that reminders (both audio and visual were evaluated) are very effective at boosting short term compliance with patients taking their medication. Prompts given as pager beeps or videos with instructions generally increased the desired behavior by 10-20%. However, mixed results were seen on a smaller number of longer term studies. An additional interesting observation was that patients who had impaired memories benefited more from audio reminders than patients with intact memories (Andrade et al., 2005). Audio reminders have also been shown to be effective at facilitating more complex behaviors, such as getting patients to exercise more (Hurlock-Chorostecki, 2017). This study combined reminders with reinforcement and encouragement. Another study used a buzzing timer on an iPod to prompt students with Autism Spectrum Disorder to switch tasks, and was shown to be effective (Carlile, Reeve, Reeve, & Debar, 2013).

     For use in education, audio reminders have been shown to facilitate self-management skills for children with intellectual disabilities (Mechling, 2007). This review also suggested that reminders should be synced across all devices on which the student is working, meaning that the reminder will appear on screen whether they are using their smartphone, laptop, and tablet at that moment. Personal computers and iPads were deemed preferable to cassette players or pagers, largely because a dedicated “reminder device” is another device for the child to carry around. While supplementing picture prompts is generally seen as helpful, research shows that picture prompts offer no advantage over basic audio prompts with a headset, especially for individuals with motor delays (Lancioni et al., 1995).

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Research Rating: Due to the experimental nature of the information cited in this description this information is to be trusted as valid and reliable. Many studies involving reminders involve multiple other features that make it difficult determining how useful audio reminders specifically are.

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Advantages:

• Benefits students with learning disabilities and intellectual impairments

• Very little instructional time required

• Easy to combine with existing device technology

• Software typically comes preloaded onto technology devices

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Disadvantages:

• Long term effects not as well documented

• Check-ins and monitoring necessary to optimize effects

• Creates noise, which requires either using headphones or disrupting others working nearby

To Consider:

• Audio reminders are more effective when the adult or caregiver can check in relatively frequently; the reminding power of annotations is reduced when they’re used for long periods of time (possibly because students learn to ignore them).

• The literature often combines audio and visual prompting, such as videos, a practice that is shown to be very effective (Andrade et al., 2005).

• Use of audio reminders is best sustained when programmed on a device the child is already using.

• Providing reminders in a form of interest to the individual is important.

• All brand name devices will have a built in reminder features. These free apps (such as Reminder with Voice) are better integrated into the operating system and typically require fewer clicks or swipes to activate and can therefore be a little easier to use.