Persons with multiple disabilities use forehead and smile responses to access or choose among technology-aided stimulation events

A variety of technology-aided programs have been developed to help persons with congenital or acquired multiple disabilities access preferred stimuli or choose among stimulus options. The application of those programs may pose problems when the participants have very limited behavior repertoires and are unable to use conventional responses and microswitches. The present two studies assessed non-conventional response–microswitch solutions for three of those participants. Study I included two participants who were exposed to a program in which forehead skin movement was the response required to access preferred stimulation. The microswitch was an optic sensor combined with a small black sticker on the forehead. Study II included one participant who was exposed to a program in which a smile response was required to choose among stimuli. The microswitch for monitoring the smile was a new camera-based technology. The results of the two studies showed that the response–microswitch solutions were suitable for the participants and enabled them to perform successfully. Implications of the studies for people with limited motor behavior and issues for future research were discussed.

► Forehead skin movement was the response for two persons with congenital multiple disabilities.
► A smile was the response for one person with acquired multiple disabilities.
► The responses were monitored through optic-microswitch and camera-based technology, respectively.
► The responses and technology allowed the persons to access preset stimuli or choose among them.
► All persons used the responses and technology successfully and achieved the goals set for them.