Effect of seated position on upper-extremity access to augmentative communication for children with cerebral palsy: Preliminary investigation

OBJECTIVE. Our goal in this study was to determine the effect of seated position on upper-extremity access to augmentative communication for a child with cerebral palsy. METHOD. A single-subject ABAB design was used with one 5-yr-old participant. We compared accuracy and speed of selection of targets on a speech-generating device in the participant's typical position and in an intervention position. The intervention position conformed to current clinical conventions and research on promoting upper-extremity movement. The intervention position was achieved through simple modifications to the participant's typical seating. RESULTS. Accuracy of target selection was moderately improved in the intervention position compared with the typical position. CONCLUSION. Results provide preliminary empirical evidence of the positive effects of functional seating on access to augmentative communication for children with cerebral palsy. Further research is required to confirm the positive effect of the intervention position across other people who use augmentative communication.