Helping a man with multiple disabilities increase object-contact responses and reduce hand stereotypy via a microswitch cluster program

• Published in: Journal of intellectual & developmental disability Vol. 33; no. 4; pp. 349 - 353
• Main Authors: Lancioni, Giulio E., Singh, Nirbhay N., O'Reilly, Mark F., Sigafoos, Jeff, Didden, Robert, Smaldone, Angela, Oliva, Doretta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa UK Ltd 01.12.2008; Taylor & Francis, Ltd; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Adult; Behavior Modification; Behavior Patterns; Behavior Therapy - instrumentation; Behaviour; Brain Damage, Chronic - complications; Developmental disabilities; Disabled people; Disabled Persons - rehabilitation; Electronics, Medical; Follow-Up Studies; Hand; Human Body; Humans; Intellectual Disability - complications; Intervention; Interventions; Male; Microswitches; Motor Skills Disorders - complications; Motor Skills Disorders - psychology; Motor Skills Disorders - rehabilitation; Movements; Multiple Disabilities; Paresis - complications; Paresis - rehabilitation; People with disabilities; Reinforcement (Psychology); Responses; Severe Disabilities; Social Behavior Disorders - rehabilitation; Social Bias; Software; Speech Disorders - complications; Stereotyped Behavior; Stereotypes; Stimuli; Studies; Therapy, Computer-Assisted - instrumentation
• ISSN: 1366-8250; 1469-9532
• DOI: 10.1080/13668250802441664

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.