Microswitch-based programs for persons with multiple disabilities: an overview of some recent developments.
Persons with multiple disabilities are often unable to interact with their environment due to their limited response repertoire. Microswitch programs are designed to help them control environmental events, generally preferred stimulation, through simple (feasible) responses. To make microswitch programs a more widely usable and relevant resource for intervention with these persons, a number of new developments were pursued in recent years. This paper examines three of those developments as specifically addressed in our research activity, namely, (a) assessment of new, nontypical responses and matching microswitches, (b) fostering of multiple responses and exercise of choice, and (c) targeting of habilitative and clinical (therapeutic) objectives. The encouraging outcomes of these developments are reviewed in relation to their potentially wide implications for daily practice and the need of additional developments in the area.
Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, 70100 Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
Giulio E
GE
Lancioni
Mark F
MF
O'Reilly
Nirbhay N
NN
Singh
Jeff
J
Sigafoos
Doretta
D
Oliva
Massimo
M
Antonucci
Alessia
A
Tota
Gabriella
G
Basili
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004519:Education, Special; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D012682:Sensory Aids