IDeA Award 2022: Jessie Torelli

Institution: Western Kentucky University

Department: School of Teacher Education

Rank: Assistant Professor

Project Title: Advancing the Effectiveness of Functional Communication Training for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Schools

About the project: This project aims to advance treatment for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities who exhibit challenging behavior in school settings. We will study ways to adapt functional communication training, a treatment shown to have efficacy in clinical settings, for use in classrooms when implemented by educators.  

Intended outcomes: The project will develop a systematic process for individualizing functional communication training based on student, educator, and setting factors.

Outside of the classroom/lab: When I am not working, I like to spend my time training Brazilian jiu jitsu, cooking, and playing violin.