Premium
A new microswitch to enable a boy with minimal motor behavior to control environmental stimulation with eye blinks
Author(s) -
Lancioni Giulio E.,
O'Reilly Mark F.,
Singh Nirbhay N.,
Oliva Doretta,
Coppa Mauro M.,
Montironi Gianluigi
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
behavioral interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.605
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1099-078X
pISSN - 1072-0847
DOI - 10.1002/bin.185
Subject(s) - psychology , stimulation , intervention (counseling) , audiology , developmental psychology , medicine , psychiatry , neuroscience
This study assessed whether a boy with profound multiple disabilities and minimal motor behavior would be able to control environmental stimulation using repeated eye blinks with a newly developed microswitch (i.e. an electronically regulated optic sensor mounted on an eyeglasses frame). The study was carried out according to an ABAB design and included a 3 month post‐intervention check. Data showed that the boy had a large increase in the target response (repeated eye blinks) to activate the microswitch and produce environmental stimulation during the B (intervention) phases. This performance was maintained at the post‐intervention check. Practical and developmental implications of the findings were discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.