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Helping a man with multiple disabilities increase object-contact responses and reduce hand stereotypy via a
Giulio E Lancioni1, Nirbhay N Singh, Mark F O'Reilly
1Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
Background:
People with profound and multiple disabilities often display aberrant behaviours (such as stereotypical movements) which can inhibit learning and lead to social stigmatisation. This study was designed to help a man with multiple disabilities increase his object-contact responses and reduce hand stereotypy (in this case, hand/wrist rotation).
Method:
An A-B-A-B design with a 3-month post-intervention check was employed. At baseline, a combination of microswitches (or microswitch cluster) was used to monitor the man's object-contact responses and hand stereotypy. During the intervention phases and post-intervention check, the microswitch cluster was combined with preferred stimuli for object-contact responses occurring without hand stereotypy. The stimulation lasted for 8 seconds if the man remained free from hand stereotypy for that time, but was interrupted if the stereotypy appeared.
Results:
The intervention showed an increase in object-contact responses occurring without hand stereotypy and a reduction in session time with hand stereotypy. These data were maintained at the 3-month post-intervention check.
Conclusion:
Replication of these findings with other individuals would confirm the utility of this type of intervention for increasing constructive responding and reducing stereotyped behaviours.
