Wearable activity schedules to promote independence in young children

Abstract

Activity schedules consist of a series of visual discriminative stimuli, arranged in booklets or binders, which function as prompts for appropriate behavior. Although activity schedules are useful, their typical presentation in binders can be cumbersome and stigmatizing, placing additional barriers for independence and inclusion. The purpose of the present studies was to evaluate the usefulness of a wearable activity schedule and determine whether prompts provided by it would be sufficient to support completion of a complex chain of behaviors by young children. In Experiment 1, the Octopus watch® provided prompts to children of typical development to complete a morning routine independently. In Experiment 2, the usefulness of the watch was evaluated in children with autism spectrum disorder engaged in play activities in a clinical setting. In both experiments, children reliably displayed a greater proportion of independent engagement in target behaviors when prompts were delivered by the watch compared to control conditions.

Children's independence Skills Analysis at Low Socioeconomic Environment

“…Independence in early childhood when completing self-care routines such as getting ready for school or studying throughout the morning, as well as participating in individual activities for long periods of time, are important life-long impact skills (Jimenez-Gomez et al, 2020). Early year is a very strategic time for development in the aspect of independence in the next age (Havighurst et al, 2010).…”

Caregiver-Implemented Digital Activity Schedules With Virtual Coaching

“…One potential intervention candidate for BIE coaching via telehealth might be photographic activity schedules. Activity schedules, defined as a set of pictures, symbols, or words that prompt an individual to engage in a sequence of specific behaviors (McClannahan & Krantz, 1999, p. 3), have been used to improve skills and increase independence for individuals with disabilities (e.g., Jimenez-Gomez et al, 2021). Specifically, researchers have used activity schedules to reduce challenging behaviors (e.g., Krantz et al, 1993), improve play and social skills (e.g., Betz et al, 2008), support transitions (e.g., Cihak, 2011), increase on-task behavior (e.g., Massey & Wheeler, 2000), and facilitate choice-making (Deel et al, 2021).…”

Electromyography of diurnal bruxism during assessment and treatment

“…The universalization of mobile and wearable devices has the potential to facilitate behavioranalytic procedures whether they be automated prompt delivery (e.g., Jimenez-Gomez et al, 2021), ambulatory continuous recording (e.g., Stephenson et al, 2017), or behavior detection through physiological indicators (e.g., Bruno et al, 2020), to mention a few examples. Wireless electromyography (EMG) may provide an alternative to the indirect observation of bruxism.…”