A Single-Arm Pilot Trial for Mitigating Relapse of Severe Problem Behavior

The goal of this study is to improve how we teach self-control and communication skills to children and adolescents with challenging behaviors. Researchers aim to find ways to make behavior-change treatments more effective and long-lasting, even when the environment or reinforcement schedules change.

The main questions this study will answer are:

Can innovative techniques help children maintain learned skills, such as asking for attention or waiting for rewards, when faced with new people, places, or situations? How do cognitive and behavioral factors, like memory, timing, and decision-making, affect the success of treatments?

Participants in this study will:

Complete assessments to identify preferred activities and understand the causes of challenging behaviors.

Learn communication skills to replace challenging behaviors, such as tantrums or crying, with more appropriate actions like asking for attention.

Participate in activities designed to understand their individual responses to different types of rewards and delays.