title: Technological aids to support choice strategies by three girls with Rett syndrome.
abstract: This study was aimed at extending the use of assistive technology (i.e., photocells, interface and personal computer) to support choice strategies by three girls with Rett syndrome and severe to profound developmental disabilities. A second purpose of the study was to reduce stereotypic behaviors exhibited by the participants involved (i.e., body rocking, hand washing and hand mouthing). Finally, a third goal of the study was to monitor the effects of such program on the participants' indices of happiness. The study was carried out according to a multiple probe design across responses for each participant. Results showed that the three girls increased the adaptive responses and decreased the stereotyped behaviors during intervention phases compared to baseline. Moreover, during intervention phases, the indices of happiness augmented for each girl as well. Clinical, psychological and rehabilitative 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: 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: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Damiani
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: D000339:Affect; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D015518:Rett Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D019956:Stereotypic Movement Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
keywords: Assistive technology; Developmental disabilities; Indices of happiness; Quality of life; Rett syndrome; Stereotypic behaviors