Effects of microswitch-based programs on indices of happiness of students with multiple disabilities: a new research evaluation.
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.
Lancioni
Giulio E
GE
Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
Singh
Nirbhay N
NN
O'Reilly
Mark F
MF
Sigafoos
Jeff
J
Didden
Robert
R
Oliva
Doretta
D
Severini
Laura
L
Smaldone
Angela
A
Tota
Alessia
A
Lamartire
Maria L
ML
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