Abstract
BackgroundThe combination of single-switch access technology and scanning is the most promising means of augmentative and alternative communication for many children with severe physical disabilities. However, the physical impairment of the child and the technology’s limited ability to interpret the child’s intentions often lead to false positives and negatives (corresponding to accidental and missed selections, respectively) occurring at rates that frustrate the user and preclude functional communication. Multiple psychophysiological studies have associated cardiac deceleration and increased phasic electrodermal activity with self-realization of errors among able-bodied individuals. Thus, physiological measurements have potential utility at enhancing single-switch access, provided that such prototypical autonomic responses exist in persons with profound disabilities.MethodsThe present case series investigated the autonomic responses of three pediatric single-switch users with severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, in the context of a single-switch letter matching activity. Each participant exhibited distinct autonomic responses to activity engagement.ResultsOur analysis confirmed the presence of the autonomic response pattern of cardiac deceleration and increased phasic electrodermal activity following true positives, false positives and false negatives errors, but not subsequent to true negative outcomes.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that there may be merit in complementing single-switch input with autonomic measurements to improve augmentative and alternative communications for pediatric access technology users.
Highlights
The combination of single-switch access technology and scanning is the most promising means of augmentative and alternative communication for many children with severe physical disabilities
An access technology consists of an access pathway and a signal processing algorithm [1]
The output control signal is used to operate augmentative and alternative communication aids, environmental control units, or computers, enabling the access technology user to engage in function activity
Summary
The combination of single-switch access technology and scanning is the most promising means of augmentative and alternative communication for many children with severe physical disabilities. Access technologies Persons with severe and/or multiple physical disabilities have limited or no means of interfacing with their immediate environment due to compromised motor functions and speech. Access technologies can restore communication and interaction for these individuals by training alternative physical and/or physiological pathways to express. The access pathway is the input device that transduces a physical or physiological expression of function intent into an electrical signal. The output control signal is used to operate augmentative and alternative communication aids, environmental control units, or computers, enabling the access technology user to engage in function activity. Autonomic nervous system signals can be trained and developed into access pathways [14] These physiological pathways may be the only viable solution when the access technology user does not have any volitional physical control. The availability of multiple access pathway varieties maximizes the chances that prospective users can be outfitted with an access technology
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
