Sound Touch Research Articles

Stimulus Generalization Using Nonvisual Stimuli with a Student Who Has Autism Spectrum Disorder and Visual Impairment

Introduction: The main objective of this study was to determine whether stimulus symmetry, or untaught generalized relations among stimuli, could be demonstrated using audio and tactile stimuli (i.e., nonvisual). Methods: A modified alternating treatment within a concurrent multiple baseline design across nonvisual stimulus sets (i.e., tactile and audio) was implemented with Zach, an 11-year-old male diagnosed with autism and visual impairment, to teach two relations (sound–touch and sound–label) among stimuli. Following training, the researcher tested whether Zach could identify stimuli through an untaught relation (touch–label). The study presented here required a week to complete and was conducted at a private school for individuals with behavioral concerns. Results: During baseline, Zach demonstrated low levels of correct responses (average of 7% across all relations) for all skills. In the training phase (for only two of the three targeted skills, sound–touch and sound–label relations), Zach demonstrated proficiency for most stimuli used in the sets (average of 61% across relations). Finally, in the testing phase (the untaught touch–label relation), Zach demonstrated high levels of generalized acquisition (89%). Discussion: Results indicated that the procedure used in this study could be generalized to novel populations, including those with visual impairments, and that different forms of sensory input could be used, including auditory and tactile-based teaching. Implications for practitioners: Individuals working with learners with differing levels of visual impairment could utilize the demonstrated procedure to associate types of stimuli, using methods other than visual input. The procedure outlined would benefit a population that may require assistance with developing language skills but who also may have difficulties using common visual stimuli.

Correlation Analysis and Modeling of EEG – EMG Signal for Startle-Induced Seizures

In this study an EEG and EMG signal is analyzed for startle type epilepsy. Future, ten subject were involved in this study, for hearing a sound or sudden touch on a particular area of the body especially the right side leg, initially induces a jerk which leads to subsequent tonic contraction. The modeling technique and Correlation technique have analyzed for both acquired EEG and EMG signal. The result demonstrates the electrode Fz, Cz, and Pz show the correlation between the EEG and EMG signal of the right leg. Also, the gain of signal also shows the similarity of these electrodes Fz, Cz, and Pz during the event along with the right leg. The Relative Gain Array (RGA) shows the interaction between the EEG electrode and EMG. The feature Inter quartile Range (IQR), skewness and entropy shows the strong correlation between the EEG and EMG right leg, For left leg it shows poor correlation. From the RGA we infer that the event is provoked at the central of frontal and parietal region of the brain.

Computer hardware and software to assist the visually impaired and blind.

Modern developments in computer hardware and software for the business world have been adapted to allow the partially sighted and blind to participate successfully in computer usage in education, employment and recreation. Adaptations such as the enlargement of the whole screen display, production of enlarged print and voice output of screen contents can assist the partially sighted. Conversion of computer screen information into speech or braille can be used in conjunction with sound boards and touch pads to allow the totally blind access to the exact spatial layout of screen contents. Optical character recognition devices whereby the printed page can be accessed by computer, and recent voice recognition techniques which allow a computer to interpret voiced commands, can also be used to assist the totally blind. Developments in these areas are discussed together with specific examples of equipment now available which make use of the various methods described.