Researchers at the University of Geneva say eye-tracking tools may help children and teenagers with multiple disabilities strengthen key social and emotional abilities. The findings challenge the long-held assumption that many of these patients are effectively untestable with standard methods.
Multiple disabilities typically combine severe intellectual and motor impairments and can leave a person profoundly dependent on caregivers. Communication is often limited to subtle cues such as changes in muscle tone, eye movements, or facial expressions, which can be difficult to interpret consistently.
What the study tested
Building on earlier work showing that some patients demonstrate clear visual preferences, the team partnered with the University of Lille to test a year-long, personalised training approach. The study, published in Acta Psychologica, followed nine participants aged 7 to 18 through 40 to 100 individual sessions.
The training relied on eye-controlled educational video games, allowing participants to interact without speech or hand movement. Researchers used several software tools, including the open-source Gazeplay platform alongside custom-built programmes designed to target specific socio-emotional skills.
Early gains, careful conclusions
By the end of the programme, all participants improved their visual exploration patterns, a basic skill that can support more complex communication. Each participant also progressed in at least one measured area, such as social orientation, joint attention, emotion discrimination, or socio-moral judgement.
Scientists emphasised that the results are preliminary given the small sample, but they argue the improvements point to learning capacities that may be overlooked in clinical practice. The researchers say the work could inform new assessment and support methods, especially where traditional testing fails.
Why it could matter next
Assistive technologies are increasingly used to help non-speaking or motor-impaired people express choices and engage with others, but evidence for training specific social skills remains limited. The researchers say eye-tracking offers a measurable, low-demand way to personalise interventions and track change over time.
Further studies with larger groups will be needed to confirm how durable these gains are and which training elements matter most. Still, the team says the approach could broaden access to communication and learning opportunities for a population often excluded from research and tailored therapies.
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