title: Using computer systems as microswitches for vocal utterances of persons with multiple disabilities.
abstract: We assessed the effects of two computer systems used as microswitches for the vocal utterances of an adolescent and a young adult with multiple disabilities. The systems were to respond to three one-syllable utterances of the first participant and nine word-like utterances of the second participant by presenting favorite stimuli linked to those utterances. The computer system used for the first participant relied on a software program developed specifically for this study. The computer system used for the second participant combined a new software program with a commercially available speech recognition program. Results showed that both participants increased the frequencies of their target utterances and obtained high levels of stimulation. Positive performance was maintained at post-intervention checks. Technical and practical implications of the data are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, 70100 Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
authors.forename: Giulio E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lancioni
authors.forename: Nirbhay N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.forename: Doretta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Montironi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ciavattini
authors.forename: Ferruccio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bettarelli
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D003201:Computers; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D014705:Verbal Behavior