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Extending the Evaluation of a Computer System Used as a Microswitch for Word Utterances of Persons With Multiple Disabilities

By Lanacioni, G.E.; O'Reilly, M.F.; Singh, N.N.; Sigafoos, J.; Oliva, D.; Montironi, G.; Savino, M.; Bosco, A.; Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, Vol. 49, No. 9, pp. 639-646
Publication Date: September 2005

Study evaluated the use of a computer system as a microswitch enabling individuals with extensive multiple disabilities to acquire control of environmental stimulation. A computer system was set up, combining a new control software program with a commercially available speech-recognition program, Dragon Naturally Speaking. Participants in the study were 3 young adults (1 female) circa 18-26 years of age with partial to total blindness and intellectual disability in the severe/profound range. Sets of 7-12 word utterances were used for the participants. Utterances selected were relatively easy to discriminate and had practical connections with favorite environmental stimuli such as participant’s and caregiver’s names, and popular songs and stories. The utterances were divided into 3 groups, which were exposed to intervention successively. During the intervention and a 2-month post-intervention check, participants’ vocalization of the target utterances led the system to present favorite, matching stimuli. Intervention data showed that (1) the participants increased the frequencies of the target utterances and (2) the computer system recognized approximately 80% of those utterances. An analysis of the levels of occurrence of individual utterances showed statistically significant differences among them, in line with the notions of preference and choice. Implications for further research are discussed.

Assistive Products Discussed: DRAGON NATURALLYSPEAKING
Published by: Blackwell Publishing, Incorporated   (Website: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com)

Mencap    (Web Site: http://www.mencap.org.uk )
International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities    (Web Site: http://www.iassid.org )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J53906
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