A Program Based on Common Technology to Support Communication Exchanges and Leisure in People With Intellectual and Other Disabilities.
A cheap Android phone with MacroDroid and picture cards can turn adults with ID into independent texters and music choosers.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Seven adults with intellectual disability used a Samsung phone loaded with MacroDroid. They tapped cards or objects on the screen to trigger WhatsApp messages or music videos.
The app turned each tap into an instant action. No typing, no swiping, no staff help needed.
What they found
All seven people went from almost zero communication to sending messages and choosing leisure on their own. The phone did the work; the users just tapped.
How this fits with other research
Anonymous (2025) built on this idea and pushed it further. They added touch-screen tweaks for shaky hands and hit near 100% independence. Their study supersedes Barton et al. (2019) by showing even bigger gains with motor-friendly changes.
Robertson et al. (2013) first proved that tiny body moves—like a smile or forehead twitch—can control tech. The 2019 study keeps the same goal but swaps micro-switches for everyday objects and phones.
Wu et al. (2010) used telehealth for fitness, not talk. Both papers show tech can open doors for adults with ID, just different doors—exercise versus chat.
Why it matters
You can give non-verbal adults with ID a voice in one afternoon. Load MacroDroid, pick a card, link it to WhatsApp or YouTube, and let the learner tap. Start with a single message or song. When it works, add more cards. No pricey gear, no coding degree.
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Join Free →Tape one preferred photo to the table, set the phone to send “I want music” when the photo is tapped, and let the learner hit it three times.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
The aim of this study was to assess a new smartphone-based program version to allow seven participants with intellectual plus visual and/or motor disabilities and hesitant speech to send out and receive WhatsApp messages, make telephone calls, and access leisure activities. This program version relied on a Samsung A3 smartphone, which was automated through the MacroDroid application and responded to the input of specific cards and miniature objects. During the baseline (i.e., without the program), the participants' performance was zero or close to zero on communication and leisure. During the use of the program, the participants increased their frequency of WhatsApp messages sent out and received/listened to, and of leisure activities accessed. Their frequency of telephone calls averaged between virtually zero and slightly above one. The implications of the findings are discussed in relation to the technology used for the program and the applicability of the program in daily contexts.
Behavior modification, 2019 · doi:10.1177/0145445519850747