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Enabling students with multiple disabilities to request and choose among environmental stimuli through microswitch
Giulio E Lancioni1, Nirbhay N Singh, Mark F O'Reilly
1Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, 70100 Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
Research in Developmental Disabilities
|March 7, 2006
Summary
Students with multiple disabilities successfully used microswitch and computer technology to request and choose environmental stimuli. They consistently selected preferred items and rejected non-preferred ones, maintaining skills long-term.
Area of Science:
- Assistive Technology
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Students with multiple disabilities often face challenges in expressing preferences.
- Accessing and choosing environmental stimuli is crucial for quality of life.
- Microswitch and computer technology offer potential solutions for communication and choice-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of using microswitch and computer technology for choice-making in students with multiple disabilities.
- To enable students to request and select preferred environmental stimuli.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a vocal-utterance-based selection system.
Main Methods:
- Two students with multiple disabilities participated in the study.
- A computer system presented stimuli (preferred/non-preferred) upon microswitch activation.
- Vocal utterances ('yes'/'no') were used to select or reject stimuli.
- Performance was tracked during intervention and at 3- and 6-week follow-ups.
Main Results:
- Both students learned consistent microswitch activation.
- Students selected preferred stimuli approximately 90% of the time.
- Non-preferred stimuli were largely rejected, and preferences between microswitches emerged.
- Performance remained stable at follow-up assessments.
Conclusions:
- Microswitch and computer technology can effectively enable students with multiple disabilities to make choices.
- The system demonstrated high accuracy in selecting preferred stimuli and rejecting non-preferred ones.
- Findings have implications for enhancing autonomy and quality of life for individuals with complex communication needs.
