Effects of extending the one-more-than technique with the support of a mobile purchasing assistance system

Abstract

The one-more-than technique is an effective strategy for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) to use when making purchases. However, the heavy cognitive demands of money counting skills potentially limit how individuals with ID shop. This study employed a multiple-probe design across participants and settings, via the assistance of a mobile purchasing assistance system (MPAS), to assess the effectiveness of the one-more-than technique on independent purchases for items with prices beyond the participants' money counting skills. Results indicated that the techniques with the MPAS could effectively convert participants' initial money counting problems into useful advantages for successfully promoting the independent purchasing skills of three secondary school students with ID. Also noteworthy is the fact that mobile technologies could be a permanent prompt for those with ID to make purchases in their daily lives. The treatment effects could be maintained for eight weeks and generalized across three community settings. Implications for practice and future studies are provided.

Keywords: Intellectual disabilities; Making purchases; The mobile purchasing assistance system; The one-more-than technique.