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University Center on Developmental Disabilities Projects |
Dr. Richard R. Saunders
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Areas of InterestDr. Saunders' major research interest is in developing the technology and methodology to detect and measure learning by individuals with the most profound multiple disabilities. These individuals have multiple sensory impairments and often very limited voluntary motor movement. Over the last six years, he has teamed with Muriel Saunders (Kansas), Lesley Olswang and Patricia Dowden (University of Washington), and Tim Cullinen, Kent Questad and Kathy Smith (Fircrest Regional Habilitation Center, Seattle) to build and test a data-collection interface for adaptive switch interventions and activity programs. This work has shown that many individuals not only can learn to control a single environmental outcome (music onset), many also can show preferences among outcomes, and some can choose between concurrently available outcomes. With Muriel, Leslie and Pat, he currently is conducting a pilot study on how therapy with adaptive switches might serve as one entry point for improving the prognosis of infants and toddlers who have yet to show dual focus or triadic eye gaze in interactions with their parents and therapists. He also has a pilot study underway at the Special Education School of the Junior Blind of America in Los Angeles with children with blindness and profound mental retardation. The pilot addresses the potential transition from environmental control to support of educational objectives with adaptive switches. With Muriel, Joe Donnelley (Kansas), and Deb Sullivan (Kansas) he recently completed collection of data on the health-related habits of adults with developmental disabilities living and working in community settings. General activity levels, exercise habits and dietary intake were studied. In general, their findings support the emerging national data -- obesity is more prevalent among adults with DD than among other Americans and their activity levels are lower. This team is currently developing several avenues of funding for a large intervention project. ] Dr. Saunders' other research interests include the analysis of discrimination learning within the matching-to-sample/stimulus equivalence paradigm and the roles of discrimination learning in the replacement of aberrant behavior with productive and adaptive routines in individuals with developmental disabilities. Representative Publications and PresentationsSaunders, M. D., Timler, G., Cullinen, T. B., Pilkey, S., Questad, K. A., and Saunders, R. R. (2003) Evidence of contingency awareness in people with profound multiple impairments: Response duration versus response rate indicators. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 24, 231-245. Saunders, M. D., Smagner, J. P., & Saunders R. R. (2004). Improving
methodological and technological analyses of adaptive switch use of individuals
with profound multiple impairments. Behavioral Interventions. Murphy, K. M., Saunders, M. D., Saunders, R. R., & Olswang, L. B. (2004). Effects of ambient stimuli on measures of behavioral state and microswitch use in adults with profound multiple impairments. Research in Developmental Disabilities,25, 355-370. Saunders, M. D., Saunders, R. R., Mulugeta, A., Henderson, K., Kedziorski, T., Hekker, B., & Wilson, S. (2005). A novel method for testing learning and preferences in people with minimal motor movement. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 26, 255-266. Mellstrom, B. P., Saunders, M. D., Saunders, R. R., & Olswang, L. B. (2005). Interaction of behavioral state and microswitch use in individuals with profound impairments. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 17, 35-53. Saunders, R. R., & Saunders, M. D. (2005). In search of contingency learning: Something old, something new, something borrowed. . . Behavioral Development Bulletin, 1, 23-30. Saunders, R. R., Chaney, L., & Marquis, J. (2005). Equivalence class establishment with two-, three-, and four-choice matching to sample by senior citizens. The Psychological Record,55, 539-559. Saunders, R. R., McEntee, J. E., Saunders, M. D. (2005). Interaction of reinforcement schedules, a behavioral prosthesis, and work-related behavior in adults with mental retardation. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 38, 163-176. Saunders, R. R. (in press). Residential and day services. Handbook of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, J. Jacobson & J. Mulick (Eds.). New York: Kluver. Recent Awards and ServiceConsulting Editor, American Journal on Mental Retardation Board of Editors, The Psychological Record Board of Editors, Behavioral Interventions Board of Editors, Research in Developmental Disabilities Grant Review: Member, Social and Psychological Review Panel, Alzheimer Society of Canada MRDDRC: Member, Research Design and Analysis Core Advisory Committee UCEDD: Training Advisor |
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