ENABLING A MAN WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES AND LIMITED MOTOR BEHAVIOR TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL TASK WITH HELP OF MICROSWITCH TECHNOLOGY

This study assessed small hand-closure movements as a potential response for microswitch activation with two participants with profound multiple disabilities of 5.2 and 20.6 yr. of age. The microswitch consisted of a two-membrane thin pad fixed to the palm of the hand and a control system. The outer membrane (the one facing the fingers) was a touch-sensitive layer; the inner membrane was activated if the participant applied a pressure of over 20 gm. The activation of either membrane triggered an electronic control system, which in turn activated one or more preferred stimuli for 6 sec. except in baseline phases. Each participant received an ABAB sequence, in which A represented baseline and B intervention phases, and a 1-mo. postintervention check. Analysis showed both participants increased their responding during the intervention phases and maintained that responding at the postintervention check. Implications of the findings are discussed.

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Persons with Multiple Disabilities and Minimal Motor Behavior Using Small Forehead Movements and New Microswitch Technology to Control Environmental Stimuli

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.104.3.870-878 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 104 (3) ◽

pp. 870-878 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Giulio E. Lancioni ◽

Mark F. O'Reilly ◽

Nirbhay N. Singh ◽

Jeff Sigafoos ◽

Robert Didden ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Control System ◽

Motor Behavior ◽

Multiple Disabilities ◽

Successful Outcome ◽

Electronic Control ◽

Environmental Stimuli ◽

Optic Sensor ◽

Electronic Control System ◽

Microswitch Technology ◽

Profound Multiple Disabilities

Persons with multiple disabilities and minimal motor behavior may be unable to use available microswitch technology to control environmental stimuli. For these persons, one may need to rely on small motor expressions (as responses) and new, matching microswitch technology to ensure a successful outcome. In the present study, a small movement of the forehead skin was selected as the response for two participants (ages 6.5 and 14.2 years) with profound multiple disabilities. The microswitch technology included (a) an optic sensor, i.e., barcode reader, (b) a small tag with horizontal bars attached to the participants' forehead, and (c) an electronic control system which activated stimuli in relation to response occurrence. Movement of the forehead skin shifted up or down the tag with bars and this shifting, if greater than a preset limit and therefore recorded as a response, led to the activation of the control system. Each participant received an ABAB sequence, in which A represented baseline and B intervention phases, and a 6-wk. postintervention check. Analysis showed both participants increased their responding during the intervention phases and maintained that responding at the postintervention check. Implications of the findings were discussed.

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