Helping Three Persons With Multiple Disabilities Acquire Independent Dressing Through Assistive Technology
By Lancioni, Giulio E.; O'Reilly, Mark F.; Singh, Nirbhay N.; Sigafoos, Jeff; Oliva, Doretta; Campodonico, Francesca; Groeneweg, Jop; Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, pp. 768-773Publication Date: December 2007
Study involved an intervention program using a combination of verbal prompting and assistive technology to assist persons with multiple disabilities in learning to dress themselves. Study participants were two men and one woman, ranging in age between 29 and 37 years, with encephalopathy and a level of functioning approximately equivalent to 3 years of age, and visual and hearing impairments. The study was conducted using a baseline and an intervention condition, with assistive technology used during the intervention phase. Technology used as stimuli included optic sensors linked to control systems regulating a multi-color light display, a mini-vibrator, and tape players presenting preferred sounds, e.g. music and words of praise. The optic sensor was activated when a dressing item was picked up; activation led the control system to turn on the preferred stimulus as a reward. Failure to remove an item activated a prompt from a mini-vibrator worn on participant’s wrist; verbal prompting was also used. During the intervention, each participant became capable of performing the dressing sequence with only occasional guidance, and performance time decreased markedly. Limitations of the study and implications for further research are discussed.
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
