Using Simple Hand-Movement Responses with Optic Microswitches with Two Persons with Multiple Disabilities

Abstract

In this study, we assessed whether a program involving simple hand-movement responses combined with optic microswitches and followed by preferred stimuli would be successful (i.e., increasing responding and stimulation) with two persons with multiple disabilities. Data showed that both persons reached fairly high levels of responding during intervention and retained their achievement through subsequent maintenance periods of 3 or 6 months. Procedural issues, practical implications of the findings, and measures for promoting long-term response maintenance-extensions were discussed.

Evidence-Based Communication Practices for Children with Visual Impairments and Additional Disabilities: An Examination of Single-Subject Design Studies

“…Topographies of communication behaviors to activate switches were far ranging throughout the studies, from subtle fine-motor movements to more overt gross-motor movements. They included switch activations achieved through a number of disparate actions across the studies: eye movements (Lancioni, O'Reilly, Singh, Sigafoos, Oliva, Coppa, & Montironi, 2005;; chin movements (Lancioni et al, 2004;Lancioni, Singh, O'Reilly, Sigafoos, Olivia et al, 2006); head movements (Cosbey & Johnston, 2006); vocalizations (Lancioni & Lems, 2001 (Dattilo, 1986;Lancioni et al, 2002;Leatherby, Gast, Wolery, & Collins, 1992;Locke & Mirenda, 1988;Mathy-Laikko et al, 1989;Sandler & McLain, 1987;Schweigert, 1989;Singh et al, 2003). Targeted communication functions included making requests for objects, interactions, or preferred stimuli.…”

Enabling a Girl with Multiple Disabilities to Control Her Favorite Stimuli through Vocalization and a Dual-Microphone Microswitch

“…The microswitch that was used for detecting such a response consisted of a batterypowered electronic unit 8 by 6 by 2 centimeters (about 3 by 2 by .8 inches) that was connected to a throat microphone (a piezo-electric sensor with a diameter of 2.2 em, or about 0.9 inch, and a thickness of 0.5 em, or about .02 inch) that was kept at the girl's larynx with a light neckband, and an airborne microphone that was placed on a table next to the girl's face. Activation of the microswitch (by triggering both microphones) turned on a battery-powered control system that recorded the response and, during intervention, activated the girl's favorite stimuli for six seconds (Lancioni et al, 2002).…”

Adapting a Grid into a Microswitch to Suit Simple Hand Movements of a Child with Profound Multiple Disabilities

“…Schematic representation of the grid with the two mercury devices line with the movement) slide to the conductive leads which activated the device. The devices were connected via wire to a battery-powered electronic control unit such as that used by Lancioni, et al (2002) which, in turn, was linked to a variety of favorite stimuli, i.e., stimuli which had produced high alerting, orienting, or smiling reactions during a stimulus-preference screening procedure (see Crawford & Schuster, 1993;Lancioni, et al, 2002). During intervention, activation of any mercury device triggered the electronic control unit which started a 7-sec.…”