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Promoting Object Manipulation and Reducing Tongue Protrusion in Seven Children with Angelman Syndrome and Developmental Disabilities through Microswitch-Cluster Technology: a Research Extension

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Abstract

We further extended the use of a microswitch-cluster technology to promote object manipulation and to reduce tongue protrusion in seven children with Angelman syndrome. Study I included seven participants with severe to profound developmental disabilities. An ABB1AB1 experimental sequence was implemented. During the baselines (i.e., A phases) the technology was available but inactive. During the intervention (i.e., B phase) the adaptive responding was positively reinforced irrespective of the challenging behavior. During the cluster (i.e., B1 phases) the adaptive responding was contingently reinforced only if it occurred free of the challenging behavior. A long-term follow-up (i.e., 24 months) was conducted. Intervals with indices of positive participation as an outcome measure of the participants’ constructive engagement and favorable occupation were additionally recorded. Study II recruited 56 external raters (i.e., equally divided in 4 groups among caregivers, physiotherapists, psychologists, and teachers) in a social validation procedure. Results evidenced the effectiveness and the suitability of the technology to pursue the dual goal (i.e., increasing the adaptive responding and simultaneously decreasing the challenging behavior). All the participants consolidated their learning process and positively participated along the intervention phases. Social raters favorably scored the use of the technology. Educational, clinical, psychological, and rehabilitative implications of the findings were critically discussed. Some useful insights for future research and practice were emphasized.

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The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and publication of the article. Authors identifying information are available on the title page that is separate from the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Università Giustino Fortunato Benevento, Benevento, Italy

    Fabrizio Stasolla & Donatella Ciarmoli

  2. Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University “Aldo Moro” of Bari, Bari, Italy

    Alessandro O. Caffò & Vincenza Albano

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  1. Fabrizio Stasolla
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  2. Alessandro O. Caffò
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  3. Donatella Ciarmoli
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  4. Vincenza Albano
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Correspondence to Fabrizio Stasolla.

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Stasolla, F., Caffò, A.O., Ciarmoli, D. et al. Promoting Object Manipulation and Reducing Tongue Protrusion in Seven Children with Angelman Syndrome and Developmental Disabilities through Microswitch-Cluster Technology: a Research Extension. J Dev Phys Disabil 33, 799–817 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-020-09774-6

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