Persons with intellectual and multiple disabilities activate via non-verbal responses a smartphone’s Google Assistant to access preferred stimulation

Abstract

Objectives

The present study evaluated a new smartphone-based program to help 12 participants with intellectual disability plus visual and motor impairments to self-regulate their stimulation input (thus avoiding their dependence on staff) through simple non-verbal responses.

Method

Nonconcurrent multiple baseline designs across participants were used to assess the effects of the program. The technology used for the program involved a Samsung J4 Plus smartphone with Android 9.0 operating system, two voice recording devices, smart-plugs, and a mini speaker. The smartphone was provided with a Google account and Internet connection, which allowed the participants to access Google Assistant and Google Play Music. The participants could make requests for two different types of stimulation (e.g. songs and familiar voices or noises) by activating via hand pressure the two voice recording devices. The verbal request messages emitted by the devices were recognized by the Google Assistant, which led the smartphone to deliver the related stimulation.

Results

During the baseline sessions (without the support of the voice recording devices), the participants failed to access any stimulation. During the intervention and post-intervention phases (with the support of the voice recording devices), all participants managed to access the types of stimulation available independently. The mean frequency of responses (i.e. activations of both voice recording devices) per session ranged between about 8 and 14.

Conclusion

The new smartphone-based program can be viewed as a useful resource to enable individuals like the participants of this study to access preferred stimulation independently.

Keywords:

• Smartphone
• Google Assistant
• voice recording devices
• intellectual disability
• multiple disabilities

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

Approval for the study was obtained from a relevant Ethics Committee. All procedures performed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Written informed consent for the participants’ involvement in the study was obtained from their legal representatives.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Giulio E. Lancioni

GL was responsible for setting up the study, acquiring and analyzing the data, and writing the manuscript. NS, MO, JS, GA, FC, GA, VC, and LD collaborated in setting up the study and/or analyzing the data and writing/editing the manuscript.