University of Iowa Telehealth Project Brings Behavioral Treatment for Autism to Rural Areas

April 13, 2015

Dr. David Wacker & Dr. Alyssa Suess (former ILEND trainee) discussing telehealth case

University of Iowa LEND psychology faculty and trainees have an ongoing, highly active research program which has been translated into practice serving children with disabilities throughout Iowa. Many of their scientific findings have had a national impact as evidenced by the number of posters and presentations accepted at national conferences and the number of papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Their areas of study include functional behavior analysis, telehealth applications, positive behavior supports, and behavioral approaches to feeding therapy. David Wacker (Co-PI), Scott Lindgren (Co-PI), and Todd Kopelman (Project Coordinator) have continued their work this year on an in-home behavioral telehealth project funded by MCH.

The intent of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of conducting behavioral treatment for autism through telehealth to reach underserved areas of a rural state. The study is testing whether functional analysis and functional communication training, conducted through telehealth, are effective in reducing disruptive behavior and increasing positive social behaviors in young children with autism spectrum disorders. This program of research on autism telehealth will be continued through a new multi-center grant funded by NIMH in collaboration with partners at the Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta and the University of Houston - Clear Lake. Drs. Lindgren and Wacker are co-PIs on the project. This 4-year study will train parents to use ABA methods to reduce problem behavior in children with ASD and will test strategies for streamlining behavior analysis and treatment while maintaining high levels of treatment effectiveness.