Helping a Child with Multiple Disabilities Endure a Demanding Physical Posture through Self-Managed Access to Preferred Stimuli

Abstract

This study assessed whether a child with multiple disabilities would endure a difficult (standing) position more easily if allowed to access preferred stimuli while in that position. The study included an ABAB sequence with 2- and 3-mo. postintervention checks. Data showed that self-managed access to preferred stimuli during the B phases of the study and the postintervention checks reduced the child's indices of unhappiness, frowning and crying, while increasing his object contact and smiles as indices of happiness.