Beyond behavioural observations: a deeper view through the sensory reactions of children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Issue 3 (21st October 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lima, M.; Silva, K.; Amaral, I.; Magalhães, A.; de Sousa, L.
• Is Part Of: Child care health and development. Volume 39:Issue 3(2013:May)
• Page Start: 422
• Page End: 431
• Publication Date: 2011-10-21
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Child care -- Periodicals; Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Children with disabilities -- Periodicals; 155.405
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2011.01334.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-1862

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Background </bold> The present study was aimed at assessing the behavioural and physiological responsiveness of three children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities to a set of sensory stimuli.</p> <p> <bold>Methods </bold> Eighteen items, 'believed' by clinicians to be appropriate for routine interventions, were presented to the participants and responsiveness was assessed in terms of: (i) consistent behavioural and electrodermal reactions and (ii) biphasic changes in heart rate.</p> <p> <bold>Results </bold> Results were twofold. First, all participants showed frequent consistent physiological reactions but rare consistent behavioural ones. Second, all participants showed biphasic changes in heart rate, pointing to the possibility of different appraisals (novelty and pleasantness) of most of the presented items.</p> <p> <bold>Conclusions </bold> Data here presented may have implications for the development and the emotional well‐being of individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities in that it suggests that reactions to, and potential appraisals of, sensory stimuli may occur despite the lack of consistent observable behaviours.</p> </abstract>