ERIC Number: EJ764908
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-May
Pages: 10
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0895-8017
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Effects of Microswitch-Based Programs on Indices of Happiness of Students with Multiple Disabilities: A New Research Evaluation
Lancioni, Giulio E.; Singh, Nirbhay N.; O'Reilly, Mark F.; Sigafoos, Jeff; Didden, Robert; Oliva, Doretta; Severini, Laura; Smaldone, Angela; Tota, Alessia; Lamartire, Maria L.
American Journal on Mental Retardation, v112 n3 p167?176 May 2007
The effects of microswitch-based programs on indices of happiness were evaluated with 9 students who had profound multiple disabilities. Each student received an ABAB sequence in which A represented baseline phases and B, intervention phases. During the latter phases, microswitches were used to enable the students to control preferred environmental stimulation with simple/feasible responses, such as hand-pushing and foot-lifting. Results show that all students increased microswitch responding during the intervention phases. Seven of them also had significant increases in indices of happiness, whereas the other 2 did not. In an attempt to shed some light on the reasons underlying the different outcomes, we examined procedural and methodological aspects of the study.
Descriptors: Psychological Patterns, Intervention, Multiple Disabilities, Quality of Life, Assistive Technology, Accessibility (for Disabled), Program Effectiveness, Research Methodology, Student Empowerment, Special Needs Students
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. P.O. Box 1897, Lawrence, KS 66044-1897. Tel: 785-843-1235; Fax: 785-843-1274; e-mail: AJMR@allenpress.com; Web site: http://aaidd.allenpress.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A