Comparing communication methods to reduce challenging behavior in people with developmental disabilities
Compares preferred and non-preferred communication tools to reduce challenging behavior.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Harnessing Communication Preferences
Key facts
- Where
- Athens and Iowa City, United StatesSee the 2 sites
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 2 and 90 years old?
Source: NCT07278544, who can take part
Where in United States
- University of GeorgiaAthens, United StatesTaking people
- University of IowaIowa City, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Joel E. Ringdahl
- Trial code
- NCT07278544
- Record updated
- 12 December 2025
- Original description
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.Read full original descriptionShow less
Harnessing Communication Preferences to Enhance Its Persistence and Mitigate Relapse of Challenging Behavior
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.
Inclusion: 2 years old and older; Diagnosis of intellectual or developmental disability; Referred for assessment and treatment of challenging behavior.
Exclusion: Challenging behavior does not occur within the context of structured assessment, eliminating the ability to identify its operant function, or the behavior is deemed too dangerous to safely observe during assessment; Communicate functionally using vocal/verbal communication; Can only identify one proficient AAC strategy.