Two boys with multiple disabilities increasing adaptive responding and curbing dystonic/spastic behavior via a microswitch-based program.

Two boys with severe multiple disabilities took part. Each had spastic or dystonic movements that got in the way of using their hands.

The team set up small microswitches on the boys’ fingers and back. A brief toy or music played only when the boys pressed the switch the right way — without any twist or jerk.

Both boys quickly learned to press the switch with a smooth motion. Dystonic or spastic moves dropped almost to zero during the task.

The clean presses lasted. Two months later the boys still used the switch and kept the unwanted moves low.

Meuret et al. (2001) ran a similar setup but gave no extra reward for smooth moves. Their kids learned the switch, but the paper did not track dystonic behavior. The 2009 study adds contingent stimulation and shows the same microswitch plan can also cut spastic moves.

Leif et al. (2020) used a competing-stimulus test plus prompting and DRA. Both studies curb stereotypy while building a new skill, but Leif used leisure items instead of microswitches. The results line up: give a clear way to play and problem moves drop.

Ghaemmaghami et al. (2018) shaped longer and longer communication responses. They also kept problem behavior from coming back. Both papers show that shaping a new, clean response can replace the old, messy one.

If you work with children whose hands twist or jerk, tape a microswitch to the spot you want used. Let a quick song or toy play only when the move is smooth. You will build the adaptive response and cut the spastic one at the same time. Two months later you may still see the gain without extra drills.