Rita Damiani

Technological supports to promote choice opportunities by two children with fragile X syndrome and severe to profound developmental disabilities.

This study was aimed at assessing whether technological supports (i.e. optic sensors such as photocells) were successful enabling two boys with fragile X syndrome and severe to profound developmental disabilities to perform occupation and choice opportunities. A second goal of the study was to reduce stereotyped behaviours (i.e. hand mouthing and eye poking) exhibited by the participants. Finally, the third purpose of the study was to verify the rehabilitative effects of the intervention program on the indices of happiness of the participants. The study has been conducted according to a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants followed by intervention and cross over phases, where the associations between behavioural responses and environmental consequences were systematically inverted. Moreover, a maintenance phase was assessed. The results demonstrated that the technology is useful to facilitate employment and opportunities of choice, showing a growth of the indices of happiness and a decrease of stereotyped behaviours, from both participants involved. Clinical, practical and psychological implications of the findings are discussed.

Assistive technology to promote occupation and reduce mouthing by three boys with fragile X syndrome

ABSTRACT Objectives: To extend the use of assistive technology (AT) for promoting a new adaptive response and to reduce hand mouthing, by three boys with fragile X syndrome. To monitor the effects of the intervention program on the positive mood. To carry out a three month follow-up phases. To conduct a social validation assessment involving 30 parents of children who presented multiple disabilities as raters. Methods: The study was implemented according to an ABAB experimental design, where A represented baseline phases (technology available but inactive) and B represented intervention phases (the technology ensured 7 s of positive stimulation). Results: All participants improved and consolidated their performance. Parents involved in the social validation assessment rated positively the use of such technology. Conclusion: AT-based program was useful, affordable, and effective for enhancing constructive engagement, self-determination, and for improving quality of life by children with fragile X syndrome and severe to profound developmental disabilities.

A Selective Overview of Microswitch-Based Programs for Promoting Adaptive Behaviors of Children with Developmental Disabilities

Assistive technology AT refers to any device, equipment and/or piece enabling children with developmental disabilities with self-determination and independence towards the outside world. Within this framework, microswitches represent electronic devices ensuring children with severe to profound developmental and/or multiple disabilities i.e. a combination of intellectual, sensorial and motor impairments to the independent access to preferred stimuli. This paper provides a selective overview of some illustrative examples available in the last fifteen years i.e. 2000-2015 of the empirical evidences published on this topic. Overall, 35 studies were reviewed. Results were widely positive, although some failures occurred. Educational, psychological and rehabilitative implications of the findings were discussed.

A microswitch-based program for promoting initial ambulation responses: An evaluation with two girls with multiple disabilities

We assessed the use of a microswitch-based program for promoting ambulation responses by two children with multiple disabilities. The goals of the study were to: (a) evaluate the importance of the contingency between the target behavior (forward step) and the programmed consequence (preferred stimuli), (b) measure effects of the intervention on indices of happiness, and (c) assess the social validation of the procedure using 20 physiotherapists as external raters. The intervention involved the automatic delivery of preferred stimuli contingent on forward steps. Results showed that both participants improved their performance (forward steps and indices of happiness) during contingent reinforcement phases compared to baseline and noncontingent reinforcement phases. Moreover, physiotherapists rated the intervention as socially valid.