Paper Information
| Title | Gaming in Physical Liberation: Three Case Studies |
| Presenter(s) | John Eulenberg and Chelsea Marks |
| Session | Body-Centered Interaction |
| Time | Thursday, October 21, 1:30p-2:30p |
| Location | Lake Huron Room |
| Format | Paper Presentation |
| Description | This paper looks at three nonspeaking individuals who are using games to develop skills needed for the operation of augmentative communication devices. Each person has severe physical and/or cognitive limitations which have restricted the mode of input which he or she has been able to use in a practical way. The therapy team for each person has introduced a game that challenges that user to use a hitherto untapped input modality.
In the first case study, a game with stimulating reinforcement serves to awaken a minimal response in the user that may lead to a practical scanning device. In the second case, a person already using a scanning system is now mastering direct selection techniques using movements he never before tapped in a systematic way for communication. The third individual has been restricted to single-switch scanning for over a decade. He is now playing a game using his foot and toe movement to create coded patterns. This is seen as leading to a more efficient way for him to operate systems for communication and environmental control. In all three cases, gaming is called upon to facilitate a transition toward more efficient control and greater personal freedom. |
| More | View PDF of full paper |