Using microswitches with persons who have profound multiple disabilities: evaluation of three cases.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of microswitch programs in promoting and maintaining responding of persons with profound multiple disabilities. Three participants were provided one or two microswitches. Their responding (microswitch activation) produced favorite stimuli. Analysis showed that all participants increased responding significantly, albeit with clear differences among them, during the intervention period of a few weeks. Two participants continued with the microswitch program in the daily context and had 3-mo. follow-up data similar to the intervention data. One participant did not continue with the program (reportedly because of inconsistent/low responding) and so did not receive a follow-up assessment. Links between responding and vigilance conditions and stereotypy are discussed.