title: Computer and microswitch-based programs to improve academic activities by six children with cerebral palsy.
abstract: This study was aimed at extending the use of assistive technology (i.e. microswitch such as a pressure sensor, interface and laptop) with a new setup, allowing six children with cerebral palsy and extensive motor disabilities to improve their academic activities during classroom. A second objective of the study was to assess a maintenance/generalization phase, occurring three months after the end of the intervention, at participants' homes, involving their parents. A third purpose of the study was to monitor the effects of the intervention program on the indices of positive participations (i.e. constructive engagement) of participants involved. Finally, a social validation procedure involving 36 support teachers as raters was conducted. The study was carried out according to a multiple probe design across behaviours followed by maintenance/generalization phase for each participant. That is, the two behaviours (i.e. choice among academic disciplines and literacy) were learned first singly, then combined together. Results showed an increasing of the performances for all participants involved during intervention phases. Furthermore, during maintenance phase participants consolidated their results. Moreover, positive participation augmented as well. Support teachers, involved in the social validation assessment, considered the combined intervention as more favourable with respect to those singly learned. Clinical, educational and practical 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, 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: Lega del Filo d'Oro Research Center, Molfetta, Italy.
authors.forename: Fiora
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Caffò
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stella
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Albano
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Damato
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonia Di
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Leone
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003201:Computers; D004493:Education; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000379:methods; D004519:Education, Special / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012574:Schools; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D058992:Social Participation; D012984:Software; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
keywords: Assistive technology; Cerebral palsy; Choice; Developmental disabilities; Positive participation; Quality of life; Social validation