Research Question 9
| Citation |
Nilsson, L. & Nyberg, P. (1999). Single-switch control versus powered wheelchair
for training cause-effect relationships: Case studies. Technology and Disability,
11, 35-38. |
| Question | Do individuals functioning at early developmental levels learn cause-effect most
effectively with toys, computers or power wheelchairs? |
| Description |
The authors describe case studies where they used power chairs, switch toys and
computers with a variety of individuals.
• 1 child followed from 12 months – 5 years of age
• 40 people, functioning at an early developmental level aged between 12 months
and 50 years old
• 17 infants who were developing typically were followed from 3-12 months of age
|
| Results |
• Case study – drove with intent at age 2.5 and understood connection between switch
and remote toy. Drove chair functionally at age 3.5. Understood computer mouse by
age 4.5.
• Out of 40 individuals, 9 were able to drive power chairs but only 2 of these understood
the computer mouse.
• Infants: By 3-4 months they understood cause-effect with joystick. By 7-8 months
they understood direction with joystick and understood switch and remote toy. By
12 months the infants still did not understand the computer mouse.
|
| Messages |
• For individuals functioning at an early developmental level it may be more effective
to train cause-effect and joystick use in a powered wheelchair than with other technologies
• For these individuals, training joystick control on a computer may not be meaningful
• Suggested developmental progression
1. Basic cause-effect in power chair
2. Directional control in power wheelchair and understanding of cause-effect with
a separate switch and toy emerge at a similar time
3. Functional driving
4. Computer joystick or mouse
|
Last Updated:
Jan 13, 2011