Rehabilitation Dataset Directory: Dataset Profile

The Requests for Assistance with Adaptive Switches from Individuals with Severe Communication Impairments study is one of the three projects in the Communication of People with Mental Retardation (MR) , 2006 to 2012 Series, which focuses on identifying participant variables that predict success in increasing communication skills of individual with intellectual disabilities. The study data were collected to show how children and adults with profound multiple impairments can learn to request assistance with adaptive switches and examine the change from pre-intentional to intentional symbolic communication.

The study examined 77 respondents, ages 2 through 71, and administered three assessments:

• Communication Complexity Scale (CCS) up to 3 points in time
• Mullen Scales of Early Learning (n=22)
• Functional vision assessment (n=76)

Assistive technology (AT), Communication disability, Multiple disability

United States Department of Health and Human Services:

National Institutes of Health

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Criteria for participant inclusion in study: Communication impairment, Visual disability, Intellectual disability, Special equipment use/assistive technology 

Communication, Assistive technology 

Respondents were convenience sampled through their participation in a requesting-via adaptive-switch intervention.  Respondents were between the ages 2 to 71 years with severe and multiple disabilities and suspected vision impairments. 

77 respondents, ages 2 through 71

Individual

North America

United States

California, Kansas, and Washington

NA

Multi-modal:

• Coded on-site observation
• Coded video observation
• Cognitive assessment test 
  

2010-2012

The Communication Complexity Scale (CCS) was administered up to three points in time:

1. To participants who were pre-intentional communicators. (n=65)
2. When they were identified as being on the cusp between pre-intentional and intentional communication. (n=20)
3. When participants were identified as "learners" and could express preferences using switches and other means. (n=7)
   

Up to three measurements of the Communication Complexity Scale (CCS) were administered over time.

Unique sample of individuals with severe multiple disabilities and vision impairments.

Sample of convenience may not be representative of the population as a whole.

https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ADDEP/studies/36515 

https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ADDEP/studies/36515/datadocumentation

Public Use Dataset (de-identified)

Data Use agreement, No cost (Restricted use version-contains original demographic information)

Codebook contains raw frequencies:

https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ADDEP/studies/36515/datadocumentation#

This study is one of the three projects in the Communication of People with MR, 2006 to 2012 Series. The other two studies in this series are:

• Language Development of Non-verbal Children Age 3 Years through 7 Years, 2007 to 2012 [Kansas City Metro Area] 
• Young Children with Physical Disabilities, 2007 to 2012 [Seattle, Washington]

ICPSR related publications list:

https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/ADDEP/studies/36515/publications 

Selected publications:

Saunders, Muriel D., Saunders, Richard R.. Teaching individuals to signal for assistance in a timely manner. Behavioral Interventions.27, (4), 193-206.2012.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24244088/

Saunders, Muriel D., Saunders, Richard R.. Innovation of a reinforcer preference assessment with the difficult to test. Research in Developmental Disabilities.32, (5), 1572-1579.2011.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3733226/ 

For more information on the Communication Complexity Scale see:

Brady, N., Fleming, K., Thiemann-Bourque, K., Olswang, L., Dowden, P., Saunders, M., and Marquis, J. (2012). Development of the Communication Complexity Scale. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 21(1), 16-28.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3273619/ 

• AphasiaBank