Improving behavioral treatments for severe problem behaviors in individuals with disabilities
Official title: Optimizing Dimensions of Reinforcement to Enhance Behavioral Interventions
Funded at Auburn University at Auburn · NIH-10785000 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for better ways to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who struggle with serious behaviors like aggression and self-injury, by finding out which rewards work best to encourage positive actions and reduce harmful ones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Auburn University at Auburn NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Auburn, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $205,048 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD113881-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10785000 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who exhibit severe problem behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without intellectual or developmental disabilities or those who do not exhibit severe problem behaviors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing behavioral interventions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who exhibit severe problem behaviors such as aggression and self-injury. The study aims to identify and optimize various dimensions of reinforcement that can effectively encourage positive behaviors while reducing harmful ones. By analyzing how different reinforcement strategies work in real-world settings, the research seeks to develop more effective treatment protocols that can be applied in clinical practice. The approach involves a detailed examination of how quickly and effectively reinforcers can be established and maintained over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective behavioral therapies that significantly reduce severe problem behaviors in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in optimizing behavioral interventions through reinforcement strategies, suggesting that this approach could yield significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Auburn University at Auburn
Auburn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Falligant, John — Auburn University at Auburn
- Study coordinator: Falligant, John
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.