Promoting motor responses in persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities through technology-based programs

Giulio Lancioni

University of Bari

Content
Persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities tend to be passive and fail to control environmental events. This condition has far-reaching negative implications in terms of development, occupational opportunities, and social image. One possibility to improve their situation is the use of technology-based programs relying on micro-switches and Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCAs) combined with preferred environmental stimuli and positive social contact. This tutorial would cover a range of practical situations in which the use of such technology-based programs may be applied. For each of those situations, different types of patients will be envisaged so as to expand the range of intervention opportunities contemplated.
Target audience
Clinical psychologists, neuroscientists, electronic engineers and computer scientists, rehabilitation therapists, assistive technology experts.