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1.
J Intellect Disabil Res ; 52(Pt 4): 327-36, 2008 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18339095

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Direct access to environmental stimuli and opportunity to ask for social contact/attention may be considered highly relevant objectives for persons with multiple disabilities. We assessed the possibility of enabling three of these persons (two children and one adolescent) to combine two microswitches (for accessing environmental stimuli) and a Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA), which allowed them to ask for caregiver's attention. METHODS: Initially, the participants were required to use each of the two microswitches individually and then together. Thereafter, they were taught to use the VOCA. Eventually, the VOCA was available together with the microswitches, and the participants could use any of the three. RESULTS: The results, which support preliminary data on this topic, showed that all participants (1) were able to operate the two microswitches as well as the VOCA; and (2) used all three of them consistently when they were simultaneously available. CONCLUSIONS: Teaching persons with multiple disabilities to combine a VOCA with conventional microswitches may enrich their general input, emphasize their active social role and eventually enhance their social image.


Subject(s)
Communication Aids for Disabled/psychology , Communication , Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Intellectual Disability/rehabilitation , Quadriplegia/rehabilitation , Social Behavior , Adolescent , Attention/physiology , Caregivers , Child , Disabled Children/psychology , Disabled Children/rehabilitation , Disabled Persons/psychology , Female , Humans , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Male , Physical Stimulation , Quadriplegia/psychology
2.
Percept Mot Skills ; 105(1): 107-14, 2007 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17918553

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the possibility of replacing head and hand responses (no longer feasible) with minimal movements within the microswitch-based program of an adolescent with deteriorating motor condition and multiple disabilities. The new movements, i.e., eye- and mouth-opening, were introduced individually and then combined through the simultaneous availability of the related microswitches. Data showed the participant acquired the new movements (responses) successfully and retained them at a 2-mo. postintervention check. Mood improvements, i.e., increases in indices of happiness, also occurred through the program. The conclusion was that a person with deteriorating motor conditions may be able to revitalize a microswitch-based occupational program and retain a constructive engagement if new, feasible responses are identified.


Subject(s)
Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Eyelids/physiology , Hand/physiology , Head/physiology , Mouth/physiology , Movement/physiology , Self-Help Devices , Adolescent , Attitude to Health , Communication Aids for Disabled/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Motor Skills Disorders/rehabilitation , Occupational Therapy/instrumentation , Occupational Therapy/methods , Personal Satisfaction , Self-Help Devices/psychology , Self-Help Devices/statistics & numerical data
3.
Percept Mot Skills ; 103(2): 354-62, 2006 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17165398

ABSTRACT

This study assessed microswitch and computer technology to enable two participants with multiple disabilities, 32 and 19 years of age, to choose among environmental stimuli and request their repetition whenever they so desired. Within each session, 18 stimuli (12 preferred and 6 nonpreferred) were available. For each stimulus, a computer system provided a sample of 3 sec. duration. During the intervention, participants' vocal responding in relation to a stimulus sample activated a microswitch and a computer system turned on that stimulus for 15-30 sec. When participants did not vocally respond, the computer system paused briefly and then presented the next scheduled stimulus sample. When participants vocally responded at the end of a stimulus presentation, the stimulus was repeated. Intervention data showed that the participants learned to choose preferred stimuli and bypass nonpreferred ones as well as to request repetitions of the preferred stimuli. This performance was maintained at a 1-mo. postintervention check and transferred to sets of stimuli not used in the intervention. The implications of these results were discussed.


Subject(s)
Choice Behavior , Communication Aids for Disabled , Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Microcomputers , Persons with Mental Disabilities/rehabilitation , Social Environment , Speech Recognition Software , Adult , Affect , Association Learning , Disabled Persons/psychology , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Motivation , Persons with Mental Disabilities/psychology , Transfer, Psychology
4.
Pediatr Rehabil ; 9(2): 137-43, 2006.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16449072

ABSTRACT

This study assessed (a) whether three girls with multiple disabilities and minimal motor behaviour could acquire pairs of responses taught through micro-switch-based programmes and (b) how the girls would eventually choose between those responses. In relation to the choice issue, a response-choice analysis was conducted to find out whether possible differences in performance rates for the two responses were due to the stimuli linked to them and/or to potential response preferences. Results indicated that all three girls succeeded in the acquisition of the two responses programmed for them and showed clear response choices. The choices seemed to be largely motivated by the stimuli linked to the responses. Implications of these findings were discussed, including the need to assess their generality and extend the scope of the work in this area.


Subject(s)
Choice Behavior , Communication Aids for Disabled , Disabled Children/rehabilitation , Motor Skills Disorders/rehabilitation , Psychomotor Performance , Adolescent , Child , Disabled Children/psychology , Electronics , Female , Humans , Movement , Posture
5.
Percept Mot Skills ; 101(1): 212-6, 2005 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16350626

ABSTRACT

We applied a new microswitch-based stimulation procedure for eye-blinking responses with a young woman with profound multiple disabilities, and compared effects of this procedure on the eye-blinking responses and smiling with the effects of a caregiver-based stimulation condition. Analysis showed that the microswitch-based stimulation procedure, with stimulation occurring contingent on eye-blinking responses, increased the frequencies of these responses significantly above the levels recorded in baseline and caregiver-based stimulation conditions. No changes in smiling frequencies occurred. Implications of the findings in terms of alertness, learning, and quality of life are discussed.


Subject(s)
Association Learning , Blinking , Brain Damage, Chronic/psychology , Conditioning, Operant , Disabled Persons/psychology , Electric Stimulation Therapy/instrumentation , Affect , Caregivers/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Motivation , Nonverbal Communication/psychology , Smiling
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