title: Effects of microswitch-based programs on indices of happiness of students with multiple disabilities: a new research evaluation.
abstract: The effects of microswitch-based programs on indices of happiness were evaluated with 9 students who had profound multiple disabilities. Each student received an ABAB sequence in which A represented baseline phases and B, intervention phases. During the latter phases, microswitches were used to enable the students to control preferred environmental stimulation with simple/feasible responses, such as hand-pushing and foot-lifting. Results show that all students increased microswitch responding during the intervention phases. Seven of them also had significant increases in indices of happiness, whereas the other 2 did not. In an attempt to shed some light on the reasons underlying the different outcomes, we examined procedural and methodological aspects of the study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of 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: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sigafoos
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Didden
authors.forename: Doretta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Severini
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smaldone
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tota
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lamartire
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012904:Smiling; D012984:Software; D014910:Wheelchairs