A finger-pressing position detector for assisting people with developmental disabilities to control their environmental stimulation through fine motor activities with a standard keyboard

This study used a standard keyboard with a newly developed finger-pressing position detection program (FPPDP), i.e. a new software program, which turns a standard keyboard into a finger-pressing position detector, to evaluate whether two people with developmental disabilities would be able to actively perform fine motor activities to control their preferred environmental stimulation. An ABAB design was adopted in this study. The data showed that both participants’ target responses (i.e. fine motor activities) significantly increased (i.e. they performed more fine motor activities to activate the environmental stimulation) during the intervention phases. The practical and developmental implications of the findings are discussed.

► Commercial high-technology products can be used as high performance assistive technology devices.
► The standard keyboard can be used as a finger-pressing position detector.
► Two people with developmental disabilities can actively perform fine motor activities using a keyboard.