Comparing PECS and VOCA to promote communication opportunities and to reduce stereotyped behaviors by three girls with Rett syndrome
Psychology; social; Rehabilitation; Quality of life; Education & Educational Research; Rett syndrome; autism; Psychiatry; spectrum disorders; developmental-disabilities; quality-of-life; disabilities; 2 boys; Augmentative and alternative communication; contact; Developmental; environmental stimuli; Indices of happiness; keyboard emulator; microswitch-based programs; motor disabilities; profound multiple disabilities; Stereotypies; tone and motor problems; physical intervention; Picture exchange communication systems; Vocal output communication aid
We compared PECS and VOCA intervention strategies to promote communication opportunities for three girls with Rett syndrome and severe to profound developmental disabilities. The first aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of both aforementioned strategies by enhancing request and choices of preferred items by the participants involved to a caregiver. The second goal of the study was to assess the effects of the intervention program by reducing stereotyped behaviors (i.e. body rocking and hand movements). Finally, the third purpose was to carry out the indices of happiness and monitor quality of life concerning the participants exposed to the intervention program. The study was carried out according to an alternating treatments design with a final preference check phase for each participant. Results showed an increasing of independent requested and chosen items as well as of indices of happiness during intervention phases for all participants. Moreover, two of them chose VOCA strategy during preference checks phase, while the third one equally chose both strategies. Furthermore, a decreasing of stereotypies was observed during intervention phases for the three participants. Clinical, educational and psychological implications of the findings are discussed. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Stasolla F; De Pace C; Damiani R; Di Leone A; Albano V; Perilli V
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
2014
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2014.06.009" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1016/j.rasd.2014.06.009</a>
Promoting adaptive behaviors by two girls with Rett syndrome through a microswitch-based program
Assistive technology; Indices of happiness; Locomotor behavior; Microswitches; Rett syndrome; adaptive behavior; adolescent; article; case report; child behavior; female; hand washing; happiness; human; locomotion; priority journal; school child; stereotypy; tone and motor problems; Rett syndrome; physical intervention; Wobble microswitch; optic sensors; stereotyped movements
We assessed a microswitch-based program to improve self-determination to access to preferred stimuli and to foster locomotor behavior by two girls with Rett syndrome and multiple disabilities. To enhance the first behavior (access to preferred stimuli) a wobble microswitch (sensitive touch sensor) was used while for the second behavior (step responses) optic sensors were applied. A second aim of the study was to monitor indices of happiness as consequence of the use of assistive technology. Finally, a third objective of the study was the reduction of hand washing and body rocking related stereotypies. The study was carried out according to a multiple probe design across behaviors for both participants, where the two behaviors were first learned independently, then combined together. Results showed an increasing of performance and of indices of happiness and a decreasing of stereotyped behaviors for both participants during intervention phases. Practical, psychological and clinical implications of the findings are discussed. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Stasolla F; Caffo A O
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
2013
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2013.07.010" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1016/j.rasd.2013.07.010</a>