Establishment of controlled arm movements in profoundly retarded students using response contingent vibratory stimulation.

Abstract

Because of recent legislation and litigation, profoundly retarded, multihandicapped individuals are now entering public school programs. These students are grossly underserved since systematic effort in providing individualized educational programs for them has had virtually no precedent. Various operant techniques utilizing contingent vibratory stimulation were demonstrated to be effective in establishing coordinated arm movement in seven such individuals. The practical significance of this finding was discussed.