RadSounds: Cause/Effect App Guide

     I welcome you to what's gotta be the one of the greatest cause/effect music programs that ever was!  Please, oh please, use a good Bluetooth (BT) external amplified speaker.  The music on RadSounds should be 'felt' as well as heard.  After all, I did design this software primarily for teens.  Bear in mind that this RadSounds is a straight-ahead cause/effect program, not 'switch-training', so there are no prompts or timing requirements.  

     Anytime that the word "switch" is used in this app, it refers to a switch or interface that ‘types’ the spacebar.  I make a variety of BT devices for different needs. A learner can directly touch anywhere on the device screen also. I will use the verb “press” instead of hit/activate/push/etc. I will use “release” to indicate the opposite of a press.  And I will use “hold” to indicate that the press is continued.

     RadSounds comes with a nice variety of real music, or you can import your own music from your i-device library.  

     You can also record your own music within RadSounds, such as singing a favorite song either by yourself or with others, even a learner!

     As with most cause/effect activities, when the Learner presses (or releases, if Release Required is enabled), the music and dancing begin.  After a time, that you set, both stop.  In other words, something is withdrawn. This can be considered “negative reinforcement” in that you are trying to increase the behavior of appropriate pressing by removing a stimulus (the music/dancing).  The music/dancing is positive reinforcement, the addition of a reinforcer to increase a behavior.
 
     This app is quite straightforward and just a few run-throughs should prepare you for success with it.  However, I’d like to make a few suggestions that come from 32 years of hands-on experience.

1) The object, at first, is to elicit presses, so everything must be positive all the time, no corrections.  That is, when the music plays, put your hands out, palms up, for the Learner to take them (they will!) and ‘chair dance’ with them.  Or for ASD, *really* dance with them. Put your heart into it.  Breathe. When the music stops, you stop, but do not say “Oops” or “Uh oh.”  I say, “The music stopped.  I wonder how to get it going again.”  Sometimes, I’ll simply point or tap on the switch/touchscreen.  Be patient and supportive, keeping eye contact, pointing to the switch/screen.

2) Watch for ‘over-pressing’, that is, the Learner continues to press/tap after the music has started.  Rather than correct them, that is, tell them to stop, I prefer moving their chair away from the switch or device.  Or, move the device further away from them.  In other words, just make over-touching less of a likelihood. Sometimes I’ll use a rolling chair for this.

3) Learn how to ‘rip’ music from CD’s and get it into iTunes to import into your library and eventually, into RadSounds.

4) Patience almost always pays off.  Once again, breathe ;-)

     For higher functioning persons, I make another version of RadSounds called Music Player, where the switch/touch user can easily and simply select their own music.  You can easily find it on the App Store or my website, rjcooper.com.

     For Learners that need more prompting, coaxing, correction, I make Children’s Switch and Touch Progressions and Teenage Switch and Touch Progressions.