An Effective Computer-Based Requesting System for Persons with Rett Syndrome

Persons with Rett syndrome experience multiple disabilities including a severe movement disorder, motor planning difficulties, impaired cognitive functioning, and a severe language disorder. Until recently, persons with severe multiple disabilities often were denied access to critical skill training programs, such as augmentative communication instruction, due to unfounded beliefs in the poor prognosis of such intervention. The present study explores the use of a computer-based requesting system, employing animated graphics and touch-sensitive screen input, with three girls having a primary diagnosis of Rett syndrome. Results indicate that all three girls displayed increased item requesting when provided computer-based requesting instruction. Two of the students met and exceeded acquisition criteria for all training lexigrams, while the third student acquired only one of the initial three lexigrams. When provided the opportunity to differentially request liked and disliked foods, all three girls were found to display the ability to discriminate the preferred items above chance levels.