Mark F. O'Reilly

Use of microswitches and speech output systems with people with severe/profound intellectual or multiple disabilities : a literature review

Microswitches and speech output systems are two forms of technology which have been used with people with severe/profound intellectual or multiple disabilities to help them reduce their isolation and interact with the surrounding world (i.e., thus obtaining environmental stimulation independently or requesting it efficiently). This paper reviews the studies which used microswitches and speech output systems with the aforementioned people during the 1986-1999 period, and discusses the research findings and the practicality of these two forms of technology. Some relevant issues for future research are also pointed out.

A review of choice research with people with severe and profound developmental disabilities

During the last 15-20 years, a significant amount of research has focused on the issue of choice among people affected by severe-profound developmental disabilities. Studies have been directed at (a) assessing the ability of those people to choose between different options and express preferences that could be used for reinforcement or occupational purposes, (b) building choice opportunities within those peoples daily situations, and (c) evaluating the possible effects of choice making on those peoples performance and behavior. This paper reviews the aforementioned studies and comments on the main findings and related questions.

Snoezelen: an overview of research with people with developmental disabilities and dementia

Purpose : This paper was to provide an overview of the research studies on snoezelen with people with developmental disabilities and dementia. Method : Computerized and manual searches were carried out to identify the aforementioned studies. Within-session, post-session, and longer-term effects of snoezelen were examined. Results and Conclusion : Twenty-one research studies were identified, 14 concerning people with developmental disabilities and seven people with dementia. Of those studies: 14 reported positive within-session effects; four positive post-session effects; and two positive longer-term effects. These findings were discussed in relation to: (1) methodological aspects (weaknesses) of the studies; (2) the cost of arranging a snoezelen programme and possibilities of reducing the range of stimuli available in the programme; and (3) some research issues for advancing the understanding and effectiveness of intervention programmes with people with developmental disabilities and dementia.

A review of research on physical exercise with people with severe and profound developmental disabilities

During the last two decades, a significant amount of research has examined physical exercise with people with severe and profound developmental disabilities. The research has followed three main objectives: 1) finding strategies for allowing the people to engage in physical exercise fairly independent; 2) improving the peoples physical fitness; and 3) reducing the peoples deviant behavior. This paper reviews the studies related to the aforementioned objectives and comments on the main findings and on the practicality and acceptability of physical exercise.

Self-management of instruction cues for occupation : review of studies with people with severe and profound developmental disabilities

Helping people with severe and profound developmental disabilities acquire and maintain constructive occupation is an objective of great practical importance. During the last 15-20 years, studies directed at this goal have largely relied on five strategies of self-management of instruction cues. Those strategies consist of the use of (1) picture cues presented on sets of cards, (2) picture cues stored in computer-aided systems, (3) object cues attached to cards, (4) verbal cues stored in audio recording devices, and (5) self-verbalizations. This paper reviews the aforementioned strategies and discusses their overall effectiveness and their suitability (practicality). The paper also points out some relevant issues for future research.

VICAID: Development and evaluation of a palmtop‐based job aid for workers with severe developmental disabilities

The development of technologies to assist people with severe and profound developmental disabilities to engage in constructive activity without constant support from carers may assist such persons to participate fully in vocational and other occupational activities. We describe the development, evaluation and use of VICAID, a system based on a radically simplified palmtop computer. The VICAID system enables a person with a developmental disability to access pictorial instructions designed to help him or her in the accurate completion of tasks. It also provides reminders to access the instructions, and/or alerts a job coach or supervisor should the workers interaction with the system suggest that they are having difficulty with a task. Evaluative studies show that (1) the system is more effective than alternative supports (pictorial instructions presented in booklets) in maintaining accurate task performance, (2) that the system is preferred to such booklets by most users with severe disabilities, and (3) that it can be used in real work settings. Future development of the system will require attention to be paid to issues of training job-coaches and support workers in its setting-up and maintenance.

Using multiple microswitches to promote different responses in children with multiple disabilities.

We examined the use of multiple microswitches to enhance different responses and environmental control with two boys with multiple disabilities. Four and three microswitches were used for the two boys, respectively. The microswitches were introduced individually. Once responding was established, two or three microswitches would be simultaneously available to allow the boys a wider range of response opportunities and a greater, more differentiated environmental input. Data showed that both boys learned to respond to the individual microswitches. The simultaneous availability of two or three microswitches promoted high levels of cumulative responding. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Impact of Stimulation versus Microswitch-based Programs on Indices of Happiness of People with Profound Multiple Disabilities.

This study was designed to assess whether the impact of a microswitch-based program on indices of happiness would be comparable with that of a stimulation program. Three persons with profound multiple disabilities participated. The microswitch-based program produced increases in indices of happiness which were fairly clear for the first two participants and quite modest for the third participant. These data were largely comparable with those obtained with the stimulation program. Implications of the findings in terms of program practicality, participants independence and environmental control are discussed.

An overview of technological resources used in rehabilitation research with people with severe/profound and multiple disabilities

PURPOSEnThis paper provides an outline of technological resources used in rehabilitation research with persons with severe/profound and multiple disabilities, and discusses the practicality of such resources.nnnMETHODnResearch articles published during the last 8 years (1993-2000) are considered. With regard to each of the technological resources used in the articles (i.e. microswitches, speech output devices, computer-aided instruction systems, audio recording systems, orientation systems, mobile robot, and SIBIS), accessibility, cost and implementation issues are examined.nnnRESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSnSome technological resources are easily accessible and affordable (i.e. microswitches, speech output devices, audio-recording systems and SIBIS). Other resources are still at the prototype level (i.e. computer-aided instruction systems, orientation systems and robot) and are much more complex and costly. In spite of this, the latter resources might still have an important role in daily contexts.Purpose: This paper provides an outline of technological resources used in rehabilitation research with persons with severe/profound and multiple disabilities, and discusses the practicality of such resources. Method: Research articles published during the last 8 years (1993-2000) are considered. With regard to each of the technological resources used in the articles (i.e. microswitches, speech output devices, computer-aided instruction systems, audio recording systems, orientation systems, mobile robot, and SIBIS), accessibility, cost and implementation issues are examined. Results and Conclusions: Some technological resources are easily accessible and affordable (i.e. microswitches, speech output devices, audio-recording systems and SIBIS). Other resources are still at the prototype level (i.e. computer-aided instruction systems, orientation systems and robot) and are much more complex and costly. In spite of this, the latter resources might still have an important role in daily contexts.

MICROSWITCH RESPONDING AND AWARENESS OF CONTINGENCY IN PERSONS WITH PROFOUND MULTIPLE DISABILITIES

This study was aimed at evaluating acquisition of responding on microswitches and awareness of contingency with 3 adolescents who had profound multiple disabilities. Their favorite stimulation was used contingently and noncontingently on their responding on microswitches. Analysis showed that they acquired and maintained high responding frequencies only with contingent stimulation, indicating that such responding reflected an awareness of contingency rather than stimulation-related arousal and activity. Implications of the findings are discussed.