Affiliations: [a] University “Giustino Fortunato”, Benevento, Italy | [b] Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Bari, Italy | [c] Villa Apelusion Medical Care Center, Bari, Italy
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Children with Cornelia de Lange syndrome and severe developmental delays may present gait difficulties, and/or be unable of independent locomotion. OBJECTIVES: To introduce six children with Cornelia de Lange syndrome to a microswitch-based program for supporting locomotion fluency. To examine the awareness of microswitch responding. To evaluate its effects on participants’ positive participation. To carry out a social validation assessment with 108 external raters. METHOD: Study I exposed 6 participants with Cornelia de Lange syndrome to a microswitch-based program aimed at supporting locomotion fluency, the awareness of microswitch responding, and improving positive participation. Study II recruited 3 groups of raters (i.e., physiotherapists, practitioners, and psychologists) in a social validation assessment. RESULTS: Data emphasized an increased performance and awareness of microswitch responding for all the participants involved. Social raters positively scored the use of the technology. CONCLUSION: The microswitch-based program was effective for supporting locomotion fluency of children with Cornelia de Lange syndrome. External experts favorably assessed the implementation of the technology for daily use.
Keywords: Cornelia de Lange syndrome, locomotion, microswitches, quality of life, social validation
