title: Technological supports to promote choice opportunities by two children with fragile X syndrome and severe to profound developmental disabilities.
abstract: This study was aimed at assessing whether technological supports (i.e. optic sensors such as photocells) were successful enabling two boys with fragile X syndrome and severe to profound developmental disabilities to perform occupation and choice opportunities. A second goal of the study was to reduce stereotyped behaviours (i.e. hand mouthing and eye poking) exhibited by the participants. Finally, the third purpose of the study was to verify the rehabilitative effects of the intervention program on the indices of happiness of the participants. The study has been conducted according to a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants followed by intervention and cross over phases, where the associations between behavioural responses and environmental consequences were systematically inverted. Moreover, a maintenance phase was assessed. The results demonstrated that the technology is useful to facilitate employment and opportunities of choice, showing a growth of the indices of happiness and a decrease of stereotyped behaviours, from both participants involved. Clinical, practical and psychological implications of the findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Lega del Filo d'Oro Research Center, Molfetta, Italy. Electronic address: f.stasolla@psico.uniba.it.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stasolla
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Damiani
authors.affiliation: Lega del Filo d'Oro, Research Center, Lesmo, Italy.
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Perilli
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Leone
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Albano
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stella
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Damato
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior
keywords: Assistive technology; Choice opportunities; Fragile X syndrome; Quality of life; Rehabilitative intervention; Stereotypies