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.
Lancioni
Giulio E
GE
Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, 70100 Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
O'Reilly
Mark F
MF
Singh
Nirbhay N
NN
Sigafoos
Jeff
J
Oliva
Doretta
D
Antonucci
Massimo
M
Tota
Alessia
A
Basili
Gabriella
G
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004519:Education, Special; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D012682:Sensory Aids