Supplemental Research Statement

My primary area of research is clinical services, focused on assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior (i.e., behavior that causes significant harm and disrupts typical life activities). This includes research with children and adults, including adults with intellectual disabilities, one of the most marginalized groups in the world. I focus on two areas: assessment advances and novel reinforcement-based interventions. Dracobly et al. (2018) was the first study to specifically compare anecdotal assessments, a common yet marginally accurate assessment, across experts and caregivers. We demonstrated a novel, valid approach that could be used to inform empirical analyses. Baak et al. (Accepted) included abbreviated empirical analysis, based on agreement on anecdotal assessment, and extended treatment involving a novel application of differential reinforcement of precursors. Likewise, in Sanchez et al. (Accepted), due to high agreement on anecdotal assessments, we conducted empirical analysis of properties and qualities of food that produced reductions or elimination of rumination, an often intractable and debilitating form of self injury. My work on assessment-based interventions led to a practice paper, focused on recommendations for selecting functional communication responses (Houck et al., 2023; featured on the journal’s podcast, BAPCast). Finally, during the pandemic, Houck et al. (2024) adapted assessments to identify masks that evoked cooperation with wearing by one of the groups most at risk, adults with intellectual disabilities in a residential setting.

My lab is one of the only behavior-analytic labs in the country conducting empirical analyses of the effects of trauma, on both desirable and problem behavior, with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Houck and Dracobly (2023) described several important areas of necessary research, including understanding how trauma-related stimuli altered preferences and the variables that influence problem behavior. This led to a series of clinically focused studies, including Houck et al. (Accepted). We identified how previously neutral or desirable stimuli, once paired with an experienced traumatic event, disrupted interaction and engagement with highly preferred stimuli. A subsequent study further demonstrated how these trauma-related stimuli altered variables controlling problem behavior. Both studies are cutting-edge in behavior analysis and demonstrate the necessity of identifying and assessing these stimuli because their presence significantly alters the efficacy of clinical interventions.

My research on creativity and problem solving has focused on translational and applied projects. The translational research has involved programmable video games as apparatuses for studying response variability with humans. This has produced two theses and one independent project. We are currently preparing these projects for submission. The applied research has focused on assessing and increasing creativity with individuals with developmental disabilities and improving staff skills in promoting creativity-based play skills. I plan to continue this research, focused on replication necessary for submission.