Behavioral States of Children with Severe Disabilities in the Multisensory Environment

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the behavioral states of individual children for evidence of responsiveness within and without a multisensory environment (MSE). Three children in the age range of 3-10 years with severe multiple disabilities participated in the study. A single-system ABAB design was used. Participants' behavioral states, identified by indicators of alertness and responsiveness to context, were observed. Two participants demonstrated no change in their behavioral states with or without the MSE, suggesting that the environment did not have an effect on their responsiveness. One participant demonstrated a decrease in self-directed movement and an increase in visual attention with movement toward the MSE suggesting a more interactive shift in this participant's response to the environment. When symbolic or consistent methods of communication are absent, observation of behavioral state may provide occupational therapists an objective means of insight into the experiences of children with severe disabilities.

Clinical Utility of Multisensory Environments for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Scoping Review

“…Two studies used behavioral observations to examine the effect of MSEs on activity and alertness states in people with severe IDD. One study with Level IV evidence took place in a pediatric nursing facility and found no change in behavior state among children in an MSE compared with their regular classroom environment (Tunson & Candler, 2010). The second study had Level III evidence and likewise reported similar levels of activity between living rooms and MSE rooms among adults at residential facilities (Vlaskamp et al, 2003).…”

Catch the wave! Time‐window sequential analysis of alertness stimulation in individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities

“…; Williams et al . ; Tunson & Candler ), these environments still have the potential to serve as starting points for the process of determining and influencing alertness as described above. In the interactions of individuals with PIMD and their DSPs, different kinds of stimuli (e.g.…”

The “Recreated Experiences” Approach: Exploring the Experiences of Persons Previously Excluded in Research

“…Although other research has focused on the social participation experiences of children and youth with complex communication needs (Batorowicz et al, 2014; Gibson et al, 2014; Teachman & Gibson, 2018), the “recreated experience” method is the first manuscript known to have combined various informants and data collection methods as suggested to focus on the inner worlds of central persons where traditional phenomenological methods to understand lived experience are impossible. Individuals with profound motor, communication, and/or cognitive impairments have primarily been involved in research using positivist orientations (Giacomini, 2012), in the fields of medicine and psychology (Einfeld & Tonge, 1996; Evenhuis, 1997; Murphy et al, 1995; Peavy et al, 1996; Schnakers et al, 2008), where objective cognitive, biological, and behavioral measures are the norm (Braun & Clarke, 2013; Fraser et al, 2011; Schnakers et al, 2008; Tunson & Candler, 2010). For example, researchers have conducted research about the quality of life of individuals with locked-in syndrome which involved the assessment of their experiences through measuring mental and physical health in lieu of whether they were satisfied with their lives (Rousseau et al, 2013).…”