title: Helping a man with multiple disabilities increase object-contact responses and reduce hand stereotypy via a microswitch cluster program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  People with profound and multiple disabilities often display aberrant behaviours (such as stereotypical movements) which can inhibit learning and lead to social stigmatisation. This study was designed to help a man with multiple disabilities increase his object-contact responses and reduce hand stereotypy (in this case, hand/wrist rotation).
  
  
  METHODS
  An A-B-A-B design with a 3-month post-intervention check was employed. At baseline, a combination of microswitches (or microswitch cluster) was used to monitor the man's object-contact responses and hand stereotypy. During the intervention phases and post-intervention check, the microswitch cluster was combined with preferred stimuli for object-contact responses occurring without hand stereotypy. The stimulation lasted for 8 seconds if the man remained free from hand stereotypy for that time, but was interrupted if the stereotypy appeared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention showed an increase in object-contact responses occurring without hand stereotypy and a reduction in session time with hand stereotypy. These data were maintained at the 3-month post-intervention check.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Replication of these findings with other individuals would confirm the utility of this type of intervention for increasing constructive responding and reducing stereotyped behaviours.
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: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smaldone
authors.forename: Doretta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oliva
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004582:Electronics, Medical; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010291:Paresis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012984:Software; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*