ERIC Number: EJ1363216
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2047-3869
EISSN: EISSN-2047-3877
Persons with Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities Activate via Non-Verbal Responses a Smartphone's Google Assistant to Access Preferred Stimulation
Lancioni, Giulio E.; Singh, Nirbhay N.; O'Reilly, Mark F.; Sigafoos, Jeff; Alberti, Gloria; Campodonico, Francesca; Acquaviva, Giusy; Chiariello, Valeria; Desideri, Lorenzo
International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, v68 n4 p518-527 2022
Objectives: The present study evaluated a new smartphone-based program to help 12 participants with intellectual disability plus visual and motor impairments to self-regulate their stimulation input (thus avoiding their dependence on staff) through simple non-verbal responses. Method: Nonconcurrent multiple baseline designs across participants were used to assess the effects of the program. The technology used for the program involved a Samsung J4 Plus smartphone with Android 9.0 operating system, two voice recording devices, smart-plugs, and a mini speaker. The smartphone was provided with a Google account and Internet connection, which allowed the participants to access Google Assistant and Google Play Music. The participants could make requests for two different types of stimulation (e.g. songs and familiar voices or noises) by activating via hand pressure the two voice recording devices. The verbal request messages emitted by the devices were recognized by the Google Assistant, which led the smartphone to deliver the related stimulation. Results: During the baseline sessions (without the support of the voice recording devices), the participants failed to access any stimulation. During the intervention and post-intervention phases (with the support of the voice recording devices), all participants managed to access the types of stimulation available independently. The mean frequency of responses (i.e. activations of both voice recording devices) per session ranged between about 8 and 14. Conclusion: The new smartphone-based program can be viewed as a useful resource to enable individuals like the participants of this study to access preferred stimulation independently.
Descriptors: Telecommunications, Handheld Devices, Visual Impairments, Physical Disabilities, Nonverbal Communication, Program Effectiveness, Assistive Technology, Stimulation, Preferences, Adults, Severe Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A