Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Microswitch-aided Programs for a Woman with Rett Syndrome and a Boy with Extensive Neuro-motor and Intellectual Disabilities

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to extend the evidence on microswitch-aided programs in terms of participants involved and responses adopted. One of the two participants in this study was a woman with Rett syndrome. Adults with this syndrome have not been involved in microswitch programs and the possibility of achieving positive effects with her was viewed as relevant for future work with this group of persons. The responses used for the woman and the second participant (i.e., a boy with extensive neuro-motor and intellectual disabilities) consisted of flexible head and right hand activations, respectively. Flexibility meant that such activations could occur via left or right head movements, or through forward, upward, or downward hand movements. Allowing the participants to use any of several movements (rather than a single/specific one) was thought to make their response easier, given their limited control of their neuro-motor behavior. The possible impact of the program on the participants’ mood (happiness) was also assessed. Data showed an increase in microswitch responses and level of happiness for both participants during the intervention phases of the study. The practical implications of these findings are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baptista, P. M., Mercadante, M. T., Macedo, E. C., & Schwartzman, J. S. (2006). Cognitive performance in Rett syndrome girls: a pilot study using eyetracking technology. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 50, 662–666.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, D. H., Nock, M., & Hersen, M. (2009). Single-case experimental designs: Strategies for studying behavior change (3rd ed.). New York: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blain-Moraes, S., & Chau, T. (2012). Challenges of developing communicative interaction in individuals with congenital profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 37, 348–359.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Borg, J., Larson, S., & Östegren, P.-O. (2011). The right to assistive technology: for whom, for what, and by whom? Disability and Society, 26, 151–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R. I., Schalock, R. L., & Brown, I. (2009). Quality of life: its application to persons with intellectual disabilities and their families—introduction and overview. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 6, 2–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bunning, K., Smith, C., Kennedy, P., & Greenham, C. (2013). Examination of the communication interface between students with severe to profound and multiple intellectual disability and educational staff during structured teaching sessions. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 57, 39–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • D’Arrigo, S., Viganò, L., Grazia Bruzzone, M., Marzaroli, M., Nikas, I., Riva, D., et al. (2005). Diagnostic approach to cerebellar disease in children. Journal of Child Neurology, 20, 859–866.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dillon, C. M., & Carr, J. E. (2007). Assessing indices of happiness and unhappiness in individuals with developmental disabilities: a review. Behavioral Interventions, 22, 229–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elefant, C. (2009). Music therapy for individuals with Rett syndrome. International Journal on Disability and Human Development, 8, 359–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elefant, C., & Lotan, M. (2004). Rett syndrome: dual intervention—music and physical therapy. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 13, 172–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elefant, C., & Wigram, T. (2005). Learning ability in children with Rett syndrome. Brain & Development, 27(Suppl. 1), S97–S101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foley, K. R., Downs, J., Bebbington, A., Jacoby, P., Girdler, S., Kaufman, W. E., et al. (2011). Change in gross motor abilities of girls and women with Rett syndrome over a 3- to 4-year period. Journal of Child Neurology, 26, 1237–1245.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Green, C. W., & Reid, D. H. (1999). A behavioral approach to identifying sources of happiness and unhappiness among individuals with profound multiple disabilities. Behavior Modification, 23, 280–293.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hanks, S. B. (1990). Motor disabilities in the Rett syndrome and physical therapy strategies. Brain & Development, 12, 157–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanley, G. P. (2010). Toward effective and preferred programming: a case for the objective measurement of social validity with recipients of behavior-change programs. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 3, 13–21.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Helton, J. J. (2011). Children with behavioral, non-behavioral, and multiple disabilities, and the risk of out-of-home placement disruption. Child Abuse & Neglect, 35, 956–964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrie, D., Bebbington, A., Bower, C., & Leonard, H. (2011). Measuring use and cost of health sector and related care in a population of girls and young women with Rett syndrome. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 901–909.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holburn, S., Nguyen, D., & Vietze, P. M. (2004). Computer-assisted learning for adults with profound multiple disabilities. Behavioral Interventions, 19, 25–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E. (2001). Behavior modification in applied settings (6th ed.). New York: Wadsworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, C. (2005). Single case designs for educational research. New York: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinshore, T. M. (2011). Disability impact and coping in mothers of children with intellectual disabilities and multiple disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 15, 241–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koppenhaver, D. A., Erickson, & Erickson, B. G. (2001). Supporting communication in girls with Rett syndrome and their mothers in storybook reading. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 48, 395–410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., O’Reilly, M. F., Singh, N. N., Sigafoos, J., Oliva, D., Antonucci, M., et al. (2008). Microswitch-based programs for persons with multiple disabilities: an overview of some recent developments. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 106, 355–370.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., Sigafoos, J., O’Reilly, M. F., & Singh, N. N. (2012). Assistive technology: Interventions for individuals with severe/profound and multiple disabilities. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., Singh, N. N., O’Reilly, M. F., & Oliva, D. (2002). Using a hand-tap response with a vibration microswitch with students with multiple disabilities. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 30, 237–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., Singh, N. N., O’Reilly, M. F., & Sigafoos, J. (2011). Assistive technology for behavioral interventions for persons with severe/profound multiple disabilities: a selective overview. European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 12, 7–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., Singh, N. N., O’Reilly, M. F., Sigafoos, J., Buonocunto, F., Sacco, V., et al. (2010). Persons with acquired brain injury and multiple disabilities access stimulation independently through microswitch-based technology. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 111, 485–495.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J., Kagamihara, Y., Tomatsu, S., & Kakei, S. (2012). The functional role of the cerebellum in visually guided tracking movement. Cerebellum, 11, 426–433.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leung, B., & Chau, T. (2010). A multiple camera tongue switch for a child with severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology, 5, 58–68.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, J.-D., Lin, P.-Y., & Wu, C.-L. (2010). Wellbeing perception of institutional caregivers working for people with disabilities: use of Happiness Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale analyses. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 31, 1083–1090.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lotan, M., & Ben-Zeev, B. (2006). Rett syndrome: a review with emphasis on clinical characteristics and intervention. The Scientific World Journal, 6, 1517–1541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lui, M., Falk, T. H., & Chau, T. (2012). Development and evaluation of a dual-output vocal cord vibration switch for persons with multiple disabilities. Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology, 7, 82–88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McDougall, J., Evans, J., & Baldwin, P. (2010). The importance of self-determination to perceived quality of life for youth and young adults with chronic conditions and disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, 31, 252–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mechling, L. C. (2006). Comparison of the effects of three approaches on the frequency of stimulus activation, via a single switch, by students with profound intellectual disabilities. The Journal of Special Education, 40, 94–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Memarian, N., Venetsanopoulos, A. N., & Chau, T. (2011). Client-centred development of an infrared thermal access switch for a young adult with severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology, 6, 179–187.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Munde, V. S., Vlaskamp, C., Ruijssenaars, A. J. J. M., Maes, B., & Nakken, H. (2012). Observing and influencing alertness in individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities in multisensory environments. Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology, 11, 5–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicolson, A., Moir, L., & Millsteed, J. (2012). Impact of assistive technology on family caregivers of children with physical disabilities: a systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology, 7, 345–349.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, M. B., Reid, D. H., Bentley, E., Inman, A., & Lattimore, L. P. (2012). Identifying indices of happiness and unhappiness among adults with autism: potential targets for behavioral assessment and intervention. Behavioral Analysis in Practice, 51, 15–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petry, K., Maes, B., & Vlaskamp, C. (2009). Measuring the quality of life of people with profound multiple disabilities using the QOL-PMD: first results. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 30, 1394–1405.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, R. R., Saunders, M. D., Struve, B., Munce, A. L., Olswang, L. B., Dowden, P. A., et al. (2007). Discovering indices of contingency awareness in adults with multiple profound disabilities. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 112, 246–260.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sigafoos, J., Green, V. A., Schlosser, R., O’Reilly, M. F., Lancioni, G. E., Rispoli, M., et al. (2009). Communication intervention in Rett syndrome: a systematic review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 304–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sigafoos, J., Laurie, S., & Pennell, D. (1996). Teaching children with Rett syndrome to request preferred objects using aided communication: two preliminary studies. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 12, 88–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, M. W., Laverick, D. H., & Lewis, M. (1995). Fostering environmental control in a young child with Rett syndrome: a case study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 25, 215–221.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tai, K., Blain, S., & Chau, T. (2008). A review of emerging access technologies for individuals with severe motor impairments. Assistive Technology, 20, 204–219.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tam, G. M., Phillips, K. J., & Mudford, O. C. (2011). Teaching individuals with profound multiple disabilities to access preferred stimuli with multiple microswitches. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32, 2352–2361.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ten Brug, A., van der Putten, A., Penne, A., Maes, B., & Vlaskamp, C. (2012). Multi-sensory storytelling for persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities: an analysis of the development, content and application in practice. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25, 350–359.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, 70100, Bari, Italy

    Giulio E. Lancioni

  2. Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA

    Nirbhay N. Singh

  3. Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Mark F. O’Reilly

  4. Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    Jeff Sigafoos

  5. Lega F. D’Oro Research Center, Osimo, Italy

    Adele Boccasini & Maria L. La Martire

  6. S. Raffaele Rehabilitation Center, Ceglie Messapica, Italy

    Francesca Buonocunto, Emma Biancardi & Valentina Sacco

Authors
  1. Giulio E. Lancioni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nirbhay N. Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mark F. O’Reilly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jeff Sigafoos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Adele Boccasini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Maria L. La Martire
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Francesca Buonocunto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Emma Biancardi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Valentina Sacco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giulio E. Lancioni.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lancioni, G.E., Singh, N.N., O’Reilly, M.F. et al. Microswitch-aided Programs for a Woman with Rett Syndrome and a Boy with Extensive Neuro-motor and Intellectual Disabilities. J Dev Phys Disabil 26, 135–143 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-013-9349-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-013-9349-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation