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NCT Number: NCT07278544

Harnessing Communication Preferences

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Intellectual Disability Autism Spectrum Disorder Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Communication Communication Disabilities Communication Disorders Communication, Nonverbal Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurodevelopmental Disorders Neurologic Manifestations Nonverbal Communication Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Self-Injurious Behavior Signs and Symptoms

Age range

2 year–90 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States

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About this study

Participants and Setting

Sixty individuals with IDD who engage in challenging behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury, property destruction) and have little to no communication will be recruited to participate in this study (we anticipate completion of the project for at least 48 participants). Participants will include those for whom two device-based alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) strategies can be identified.

Pre-Experimental Phase

Prior to randomization, all participants will complete several assessments to establish two different functional-communication modalities that are considered device-based AAC strategies (e.g., picture card, microswitch, tablet app). Initial modalities will be identified through a validated assessment that has been shown to identify proficient communication modalities. Next, the individual's preference will be assessed between those established modalities. These assessments are the same ones conducted in our currently funded study and include a preference assessment among leisure items and activities, a functional analysis of challenging behavior, a communication-modality proficiency assessment, FCT, and a communication-modality preference assessment. From the communication modality preference assessment, a high preferred and lesser preferred modality will be identified. These modalities henceforth will be referred to as follows: preferred communication modality (PrefFCT) and lesser preferred communication modality (NonPrefFCT).

Randomization

Following the completion of all assessments in the pre-experimental phase, participants will be randomized to one of two initial conditions: PrefFCT or NonPrefFCT. Because this is a crossover design, each participant will experience the other modality condition after crossover. Further, participants will also be randomized into their implementer condition (different trained therapist versus trained caregiver) in a similar manner. After random assignment, all participants will undergo the same sequence of procedures but using the communication modality according to condition assignment.

Crossover

Following completion of FCT and disruption after initial randomization, participants will crossover to the alternative condition and complete FCT and disruption with the other communication modality, allowing for within-subjects comparisons. That is, participants who were originally assigned to the PrefFCT condition and completed FCT and disruption with their preferred communication modality will then move to the NonPrefFCT condition during the crossover phase and thus complete a second round of FCT and disruption, but with their lesser preferred communication modality. The opposite will occur for those who started in the NonPrefFCT condition.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 2 years old and older.
  • Diagnosis of intellectual or developmental disability.
  • Referred for assessment and treatment of challenging behavior.

Exclusion criteria

  • 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.

Treatment and study plan

PrefFCT

Behavioral

Differential reinforcement of alternative communication and extinction of challenging behavior.

NonPrefFCT

Behavioral

Differential reinforcement of alternative communication and extinction of challenging behavior.

Primary outcomes

  1. Persistence of Communication

    Time frame: Change in level of communication from baseline to 6 weeks post baseline.

    Response rate as the average of the communication rate during treatment disruption.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Relapse of Challenging Behavior

    Time frame: Change in level of challenging behavior from baseline to 6 weeks post baseline with new implementer.

    Response rate as the average challenging behavior rate during treatment with new implementer.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Joel Ringdahl, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

319-594-2071

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Joel E. Ringdahl

Other

Collaborators

  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
  • University of Florida
  • University of Iowa
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Registry information

Official study title

Harnessing Communication Preferences to Enhance Its Persistence and Mitigate Relapse of Challenging Behavior

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2031
Study completion
2031
First posted
Dec 12, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 12, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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