Helping a man with multiple disabilities to use single vs repeated performance of simple motor schemes as different responses.
A man with multiple disabilities was taught to use single vs repeated performance of simple motor schemes as different responses. Specifically, single and double emissions of a finger movement served as two separate responses, which allowed direct access to different environmental stimuli via microswitch technology. Single and double emissions of a head movement served as two additional responses, which allowed interaction with two different caregivers who were called via voice output communication aids (VOCAs). The results showed that the man, who had pervasive motor impairment, acquired the four responses available and seemed to use them purposefully. The implications of this approach to increase the response options of persons with few controllable motor schemes were discussed.
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
Smaldone
Angela
A
La Martire
Maria Luisa
ML
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D055616:Microtechnology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014741:Video Recording; D014910:Wheelchairs; D055815:Young Adult