Experimental Examination and Social Validation of a Microswitch Intervention to Improve Choice-Making and Activity Engagement for Six Girls with Rett Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Background: The use of assistive technology, specifically microswitches, with children with RTT has been shown to effectively moderate the impact of their disability on their quality of life⁻ by facilitating access to meaningful leisure and other activities.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a microswitch intervention on increased choice making, engagement in a targeted sorting activity, and indices of happiness, and decreased stereotypic behaviors for six girls with Rett syndrome. Targeted dependent variables were also assessed at six months post-intervention. Following the intervention study, 90 external raters completed a social validation procedure.

Method: An ABABAB experimental sequence was implemented for each participant with a cross-over effect. A social validation assessment involving 90 external raters was carried out.

Results: Data emphasized an improved performance for each participants involved (i.e., adaptive responses). Five participants showed a capacity of independent choice. One participant seemed to be closely linked to the position of the container. Social raters favorably endorsed the use of the program since they positively evaluated the use of the technology on all the dimensions investigated.

Conclusion: A microswitch intervention may improve choice making and activity engagement for children with Rett syndrome. Further research is needed on the development of more sophisticated forms of individualized technological options to improve opportunities for enhanced engagement and choice-making for individuals with RTT.

KEYWORDS:

• Rett syndrome
• choice
• assistive technology
• quality of life
• social validation

Declaration of conflicts of interest

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of the article. The authors alone are responsible for the content and the writing of the article.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained for all the recruited participants by their legal representatives (i.e., their parents).

Ethical Approval

All performed procedures of the study have been carried out in accordance with Helsinki Declaration (1964) and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Additional information

Funding

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.