Technology-aided programs to support exercise of adaptive head responses or leg-foot and hands responses in children with multiple disabilities

Abstract

Objective: Assessing the effectiveness of technology-aided programs to help three children with multiple disabilities exercise adaptive head or leg-foot and hands responses independently.

Method: The response selected for the two children included in Study I was head rotation (i.e. movements of at least 25 degrees to the left that could start from a full right position as well as from other positions). The responses selected for the child included in Study II involved forward movement of the left leg-foot and forward movement of his hand(s) to touch objects. Tilt or optic microswitches were used to monitor the responses and a computer system regulated the stimuli contingent on them.

Results: The responses targeted in the two studies showed large frequency increases during the intervention phases of the studies (i.e. when followed by stimulation).

Conclusion: Technology-aided programs can be a useful resource to help children with multiple disabilities exercise relevant responses independently.

• Adaptive responses
• technology
• response exercise
• multiple disabilities