Extending the evaluation of a computer system used as a microswitch for word utterances of persons with multiple disabilities

Evaluation of technology-assisted learning setups for undertaking assessment and providing intervention to persons with a diagnosis of vegetative state

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the viability of technology-assisted learning setups for undertaking assessment and providing intervention to persons in vegetative state.

METHOD

Study I investigated whether three persons with a diagnosis of vegetative state could associate eye blinking or hand closure responses with contingent, positive stimulation, thus increasing their frequencies (showing signs of learning). Study II extended the learning process (introducing a new response and new stimuli) for one of the participants of Study I.

RESULTS

Two of the participants of Study I succeeded in increasing their responses, indicating signs of learning. Study II showed that the participant (one of the two succeeding in Study I) acquired a new response to access new stimuli and could alternate this response with the one acquired in Study I.

CONCLUSION

Learning might represent a basic level of knowledge and consciousness. Detecting signs of learning might help modify a previous diagnosis of vegetative state and support intervention/rehabilitation efforts.

Students with multiple disabilities using technology-based programs to choose and access stimulus events alone or with caregiver participation

The first of these two studies extended preliminary evidence on the use of technology-based programs for enabling students with severe and profound multiple disabilities to choose and access environmental stimuli on their own. Each of the three participants had two microswitches linked to specific sets of stimuli through a computer system. The activation of one of the microswitches triggered the computer system to present a sample of one of the stimuli. If the student chose it, the computer system turned it on for a specific time interval. The second study tested a new technology that allowed the students to choose and access the chosen stimuli with the involvement of the caregiver. The two participants had three microswitches linked to a computer system. The participants' choice of a stimulus alerted the caregiver who then got involved in the stimulation process. The results of both studies showed that the participants learned to activate the basic microswitches consistently, had high percentages of choice for the stimulus samples presented by the computer but with wide differences across stimuli, and largely maintained this performance at a 2-month post-intervention check. These findings were analyzed in terms of the usability of the two types of programs, the role they may play within educational and living contexts, and their innovative technical dimensions.

Enabling students with multiple disabilities to request and choose among environmental stimuli through microswitch and computer technology

This study assessed the possibility of enabling two students with multiple disabilities to request and choose among environmental stimuli through microswitch and computer technology. Each student was provided with two basic microswitches the activation of which made a computer system present a sample of a preferred or non-preferred stimulus. The student could select or reject such a stimulus by vocal utterances discriminated by the computer system as 'yes' or 'no'. If the student selected the stimulus, the computer system presented it for a preset time. If the student rejected the stimulus, the computer system waited for the next input of one of the basic microswitches. Data showed that both students learned to activate the basic microswitches consistently, selected the preferred stimuli about 90% of the times, and largely rejected the non-preferred stimuli. The students also showed some preferences between the two basic microswitches/responses. The performance was maintained at the post-intervention checks carried out 3 and 6 weeks after the end of the intervention. Implications of the findings are discussed technically, practically, and in terms of quality of life.