Current Projects

Contingent Electric Skin Shock (CESS)

Although controversial, the application of positive punishment in the form of CESS can bring under control the life-long severe problem behaviors of clients for whom nothing else has worked. This line of research provides evidence to support the implementation of this court-approved procedure and to analyze the real-world effects on the quality of life our clients experience.

Psychotropic Drug-behavior Effects

 Psychotropic drugs (e.g., antipsychotics, antidepressants, stimulants, etc) can have adverse side effects and the real-world effects on problem behaviors remain unclear. This line of research provides evidence to support our policy of tapering and discontinuation of these drugs when appropriate for our students and clients

Treatment-refractory Problem Behavior

Some individuals present with behaviors for which a clinically significant outcome has not been observed, despite appropriate functional behavior assessments, and behavioral interventions administered with sufficient procedural integrity. Risk factors include but are not limited to the individual’s: (1) treatment history (e.g., out-patient vs. in-patient hospitalization, day vs. residential behavioral treatment, psychotropic medication trials, restraint, health related supports, out-of-state placement); (2) medical/biological factors (e.g., rare congenital disorders; brain injury, psychosis); (3) physical attributes (e.g., size, strength, speed, and flexibility); (4) existing and potential for harm to self and/or others (e.g., risk of infection, maiming, and death); (5) regulatory restrictions (e.g., state-by-state prohibitions); and (6) limitations associated with the standard of care in applied behavior analysis. This line of research aims to identify the prevalence of such clinical cases and inform the development of effective treatment.