Assistive Technology

Evaluating and Enhancing Communication Skills in Four Adolescents with Profound and Multiple Disabilities

“…Responses of this type might enable them to have a positive impact on their immediate environment through active participation, the control of specific stimulation, and constructive engagement within their immediate context (Lancioni et al, 2001;Lancioni et al, 2009a, Lancioni et al, 2013. As a result of the complex and profound disabilities persons with PMD endure, response skills and abilities tend to be limited making them appear largely passive, seemingly disengaged, often completely dependent upon others for all daily living requirements, and ultimately socially isolated (Lancioni et al, 2001;Lancioni et al, 2008b). Microswitches are designed to increase levels of active participation, engage the user to exert control over environmental stimulation, and have the opportunity to achieve social goals (Lancioni et al, 2008b(Lancioni et al, , 2008c.…”

“…As a result of the complex and profound disabilities persons with PMD endure, response skills and abilities tend to be limited making them appear largely passive, seemingly disengaged, often completely dependent upon others for all daily living requirements, and ultimately socially isolated (Lancioni et al, 2001;Lancioni et al, 2008b). Microswitches are designed to increase levels of active participation, engage the user to exert control over environmental stimulation, and have the opportunity to achieve social goals (Lancioni et al, 2008b(Lancioni et al, , 2008c. Microswitches are designed to be easily activated through an available or feasible motor movement possessed by the person, such as by being pressed by an arm or hand, a leg movement, an upward movement of a knee, or the miniscule upward movement of the eyebrows or eyelids (Lancioni, et al, 2001(Lancioni, et al, , 2006Lancioni et al, 2008bLancioni et al, , 2008c.…”

“…Microswitches are designed to increase levels of active participation, engage the user to exert control over environmental stimulation, and have the opportunity to achieve social goals (Lancioni et al, 2008b(Lancioni et al, , 2008c. Microswitches are designed to be easily activated through an available or feasible motor movement possessed by the person, such as by being pressed by an arm or hand, a leg movement, an upward movement of a knee, or the miniscule upward movement of the eyebrows or eyelids (Lancioni, et al, 2001(Lancioni, et al, , 2006Lancioni et al, 2008bLancioni et al, , 2008c. Microswitches can be effective tools in translating motor behaviour into functional active responses when motor skills already present within the user's repertoire are targeted for intervention, as opposed to attempting to teach a new motor behaviour in order to activate the microswitch (Lancioni et al, 2013;Schweigert & Rowland, 1992).…”

“…Microswitch technology has documented efficacy in increasing functional skills and creating opportunities to increase self-determination and promote adaptive behaviour in individuals with PMD (Lancioni et al, 2004). Specifically, research has focused on enabling individuals to control preferred environmental stimulation (Kennedy & Haring, 1993;Lancioni et al, 2006a;Singh et al, 2004;Warren et al, 1990), and requesting social interaction (Lancioni, 2008b(Lancioni, , 2008cLancioni et al, 2009aLancioni et al, , 2009c. Microswitch technology has also been used effectively in increasing leisure occupation in persons with PMD (Lancioni et al, 2014), enhancing and promoting ambulation skills (Stasolla & Caffo, 2013), posture (Lancioni et al, 2004;, and reducing maladaptive behaviours such as mouthing objects .…”

“…Microswitch technology has additionally been combined with aided AAC modes, such as speech generating devices (SGDs), which produce synthesised speech output for those without functional speech (Lancioni et al, 2001;Lancioni et al, 2014;Lancioni et al, 2009a;2009cLancioni et al, 2008b2008c). SGDs can enable a user to produce a spoken response without actually possessing the ability to speak, allowing a consistent and readily understood communication option.…”