Harnessing Communication Preferences

Part of paid clinical trials in Athens, Georgia.

Sponsor
Joel E. Ringdahl
Study ID
NCT07278544
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Communication Disabilities
  • Communication, Nonverbal
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Self-Injurious Behavior

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
2 Years - 90 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • PrefFCT — BEHAVIORAL
    Differential reinforcement of alternative communication and extinction of challenging behavior.
  • NonPrefFCT — BEHAVIORAL
    Differential reinforcement of alternative communication and extinction of challenging behavior.

Study Details

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate how preference for communication approach (e.g., using a touch talker versus picture cards) impacts treatment maintenance in the context of treatment to reduce challenging behavior exhibited by individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. As well, the clinical trial will evaluate how this preference impacts treatment relapse when care providers implement intervention and will identify potential demographic variables (e.g., age and symptom severity) that affect outcomes. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer \[is/are\]: Preferred communication strategies will persist to a greater extent when intervention is disrupted, relative to less preferred communication strategies. Communication modality preference will increase persistence for individuals with lower pre-experimental symptom severity scores and higher pre-experimental communication functioning scores. We predict demographic characteristics and developmental level will not impact intervention outcomes. Two groups will be compared. Group 1 will receive initial intervention using a preferred communication strategy. Group 2 will receive initial intervention using a non preferred, but effective, communication strategy. Intervention type will then be reversed. Researchers will compare preferred and non preferred interventions on continued expression of the communication strategy when intervention is challenged. Participants will exhibit alternative appropriate communicative behavior as a means of replacing/reducing challenging behavior. This will take place using (a) preferred communication strategies and (b) non preferred communication strategies. Following successful intervention with each type of communication, intervention will be challenged and continued use of the communication strategy will be measured.

Key Dates

Start date
Aug 15, 2025
Status verified
Dec 2025
Primary completion
Mar 31, 2031
Completion
Mar 31, 2031

Study Design

Enrollment
60 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: PrefFCT
    PrefFCT involves reinforcing an appropriate communicative response determined to be preferred by the individual relative to a second appropriate communicative response. During PrefFCT, participants will receive access to the functionally relevant reinforcer following occurrences of the specified communication modality. Challenging behavior will not produce any programmed consequence.
  • Experimental: NonPrefFCT
    NonPrefFCT involves reinforcing an appropriate communicative response determined to be less preferred by the individual relative to another appropriate communicative response. During NonPrefFCT, participants will receive access to the functionally relevant reinforcer following occurrences of the specified communication modality. Challenging behavior will not produce any programmed consequence.

Primary Outcome Measure

Persistence of Communication [ Time Frame: Change in level of communication from baseline to 6 weeks post baseline. ]

Central Contacts

Locations (2)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of GeorgiaAthensGeorgia30602
Joel Ringdahl, PhD
[email protected]
319-594-2071
University of IowaIowa CityIowa52242
Kelly Schieltz, PhD
[email protected]
319-356-0308
Matthew O'Brien, PhD (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)

Find similar trials in Athens, GA

By condition
Autism spectrum disorder
By specialty
Pediatrics
By research site
University of Georgia· Athens, GAUniversity of Iowa· Iowa City, IA

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