title: Microswitch clusters promote adaptive responses and reduce finger mouthing in a boy with multiple disabilities.
abstract: The authors assessed new microswitch clusters (i.e., combinations of two microswitches) and contingent stimulation to increase adaptive responses (i.e., foot and head movements) and reduce aberrant behavior (i.e., finger mouthing)in a boy with multiple disabilities. Initially, intervention was directed at increasing the frequency of each adaptive response, individually, through contingent use of preferred stimuli. Subsequently, adaptive responses led to preferred stimuli only if they occurred in the absence of finger mouthing. Postintervention checks occurred 1, 2, and 3 months after the end of the intervention. Data showed that the boy (a) increased the frequency of the adaptive responses extensively, (b) learned to perform these responses largely free from finger mouthing, and (c) maintained these changes over time. The importance of microswitch clusters to simultaneously pursue the dual objective of promoting adaptive responses and reducing aberrant ones is underlined.
authors.affiliation: University of Bari, Department of Psychology, Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
authors.forename: Giulio E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lancioni
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.forename: Nirbhay N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sigafoos
authors.forename: Doretta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baccani
authors.forename: Jop
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Groeneweg
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D012656:Self-Help Devices