Microswitch clusters to support responding and appropriate posture of students with multiple disabilities: three case evaluations.
OBJECTIVE
This study extended the evaluation of microswitch clusters to support responding and appropriate posture with three students with multiple disabilities.


METHODS
Initially, a baseline level was established for the target response selected for each student. Then, Intervention I was implemented to increase the frequency of that response through the presentation of favourite stimuli. During Intervention II, the response was followed by favourite stimuli only if the microswitch cluster detected it in combination with appropriate posture. Post-intervention checks were carried out within 2 or 3 months from the end of Intervention II.


CONCLUSIONS
All students showed an increase in the frequency of the target response during Intervention I and in the percentage of times the response occurred in combination with appropriate posture during Intervention II. These changes lasted over time. The importance of microswitch clusters to enhance the performance of students with multiple disabilities was underlined.
Lancioni
G E
GE
Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
Singh
N N
NN
O'Reilly
M F
MF
Oliva
D
D
Scalini
L
L
Vigo
C M
CM
Groeneweg
J
J
D002648:Child; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011187:Posture; D012656:Self-Help Devices