Dr. Nicole Neil, PhD

Associate Professor - Applied Psychology

Dr. Nicole Neil, PhD

Associate Professor - Applied Psychology

I am a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and Coordinator of the MPED in Applied Behaviour Analysis. I am interested in research questions that are immediately relevant to the practice of behaviour analysis and families of individuals with developmental disabilities. This type of research involves working closely with local advocacy groups and local families to identify relevant topics, carry out research in community settings, and ensure research results are accessible to community members.

I have ongoing projects in the following areas:

  • Applied behavior analytic interventions for individuals with Down syndrome
  • Assessment and treatment of comorbid mental health diagnoses for individuals with developmental disabilities
  • STEM programmming for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • Social skills and support programs for children with developmental disabilities and their families

 

In The News

Recent Publications

Refereed Articles

aMaster's Student, bPracticum Student, cUndergraduate Student

1. Lee, E.a, Neil, N., & Friesen, D. (2021). Support needs, coping, and stress among parents and caregivers of people with Down Syndrome. Research in Developmental Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104113

2. Cappa, C., Njelesani, J., Neil, N., & Maladwala, A. (2021). Measuring environmental factors and school participation for children with disabilities. The International Journal of Disability, Development and Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2021.1959021

3. Neil, N., Anderson, B.b, Amicarelli, A.a, Liesemer, K.c (2021). A meta-analysis of single-case research on applied behavior analytic interventions for individuals with down syndrome. American Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-126.2.114

4. Hart, K.a, & Neil, N. (2021). Down syndrome caregivers’ support needs: A mixed method participatory approach. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 65 (1), 60-76. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12791

5. LaLonde, K., Plavnick, J., Duenas, A., Neil, N., & Wawrzonek, A. (2020). An evaluation of two tact training procedures on acquired tacts and tacting during play. Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 36(2), 180-193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40616-020-00131-4

6. Neil, N., Hansford, R.b, Young, K b, & Zwick, L.b (2020). The effect of instructional pacing on skill acquisition and maintenance in children with developmental disabilities. Journal on Developmental Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5032946  

7. Jones, E.A., Fiani, T. F., Stewart, J. L., Neil, N., McHugh, S., & Fienup, D. (2020). Randomized controlled trial of a sibling support group: Mental health outcomes for siblings of children with autism. Autism, 24(6), 1468-1481. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320908979

8. Vause, T., Neil, N., Feldman, M. (2019). Functional Behavior-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Behavior in Children with ASD. In F.R. Volkmar (Ed), Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. New York, NY: Springer.

9. Neil, N., & Jones, E.A. (2019). Effects of intervention intensity on the efficiency of skill acquisition and task persistence in children with Down syndrome. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. doi:10.1111/jar.12607

8. Jones, E.A., Fiani, T., Stewart, J., Sheikh, R., Neil, N., Fienup, D. M. (2019). When one sibling has autism: Adjustment and sibling relationship. Journal of Child and Family Studies. doi: 10.1007/s10826-019-01374-z

9. Vause, T., Jaksic, H., Neil, N., Frijters, J., Jackiewicz, G., & Feldman, M. (2018). Functional behavior-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive compulsive behavior in autism spectrum disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-3772-x

10. Neil, N., Fiani, T., Mannion, A., & Lynch, M. (2018). Exploratory, pilot study: Treatments accessed by caregivers of children with Down Syndrome: An internet survey. Journal on Developmental Disabilities, 23, 37-49.

11. Neil, N., & Jones, E.A. (2018). Communication intervention for individuals with Down syndrome: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 21, 1-12. doi:10.1080/17518423.2016.1212947

12. Vause, T., Neil, N., Jaksic, H. Jackiewicz, G., & Feldman, M. (2017). Preliminary randomized trial of function-based cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat obsessive compulsive behavior in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 32, 218-228. doi: 10.1177/1088357615588517

13. Neil, N., Vause, T., Jaksic, H., & Feldman, M. (2017). Effects of group functional behavior-based cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive behavior in a youth with autism spectrum disorder. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 3, 1-12. doi: 10.1080/07317107.2017.1338448

14. Neil, N., & Jones, E.A. (2016). Repetitive behavior in children with Down syndrome: Functional analysis and intervention. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 28(2), 267-288. doi: 10.1007/s10882-015-9465-x

15. Neil, N. & Jones, E.A. (2015). Studying treatment intensity: Lessons from two preliminary studies. Journal of Behavioral Education, 24(1), 51-73. doi: 10.1007/s10864-014-9208-6

16. Neil, N., & Sturmey, P. (2014). Assessment and treatment of obsessions and compulsions in individuals with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 1(1), 62-79. doi: 10.1007/s40489-013-0006-1

 

Book Chapters

17. Neil, N., Moum, L., Sturmey, P. (2014). Co-morbidity among children and youth with ASD. In Luiselli, J. (Ed), Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Recent Advances and Innovations in Assessment, Education, and Intervention. New York, NY: Oxford University Press

18. Sturmey, P., Lindsay, B., Vause, T., & Neil, N. (2014). Anxiety disorders. In P. Sturmey & R. Didden (Eds.), Evidence Based Practice and Intellectual Disabilities. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

19. Jones, E.A., Neil, N., & Feeley, K. (2013). Enhancing learning for children with Down syndrome. In B. Clark & R. Faragher (Eds.), Educating Learners with Down Syndrome: Research, Theory, and Practice with Children and Adolescents. London: Routledge

Reviews of Others’ Work

20. Jones, E.A., & Neil, N. (2013). Communication books and partner orientation may help to promote peer interactions in high school students with autism. Evidence- Based Communication Assessment and Intervention, 7(2), 73-78. doi: 10.1080/17489539.2013.844445

Recent Presentations

1. Leader, G., Gallagher, L., O’Reilly, J., Feighan, S., Kang, H-J, Neil, N., & Mannion, A. (2016, June). The Irish Autism Registry. Division of Behaviour Analysis 10th Annual Conference. Maynooth, Ireland.

2. Neil, N., Leader, G., Gallagher, L., O’Reilly, J., & Mannion, A. (2016, June). Advancing Knowledge about the Nature and Consequences of Fragile X Syndrome in Ireland through a National Registry. Division of Behaviour Analysis 10th Annual Conference. Maynooth, Ireland.

3. Neil, N., Yates, H., Vause, T., Jackiewicz, G., & Feldman, M. (2016, June). Group Functional-Behavior CBT to Reduce Obsessive Compulsive Behavior in Children with High Functioning Autism. Division of Behaviour Analysis 10th Annual Conference. Maynooth, Ireland.

4. Neil, N., & Jones, E. A. (2016, May). Using Intervention Intensity to Maximize Acquisition of Language for Learners with Down Syndrome. Paper presented at the 42nd Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Convention. Chicago, IL.

5. Neil, N., Jones, E. A., Chohan, M., & Rafeeq. (2015, October). Optimizing Intervention for Children with Down Syndrome. Paper presented at the 26th Annual Conference of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis. Albany, NY.

6. Neil, N., & Jones, E.A. (2015, May). Repetitive Behavior in Children with Down Syndrome: Functional Analysis and Treatment. Paper presented at the 41st Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Convention. San Antonio, TX.

7. Yates, H., Vause, T., Neil, N., Johnson, N., Jackiewicz, G., & Feldman, M. (2015, May). Group Function-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Behavior in Children with Autism. Paper presented at the 41st Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Convention. San Antonio, TX.

8. Rafeeq, A., Neil, N., & Jones, E.A. (2015, April). Using Treatment Intensity to Optimize Intervention for Children with Down Syndrome. Paper presented at The Queens College Conference on Autism and Developmental Disabilities. New York, NY.

9. McHugh, S.A., Kryzak, L. A., Neil, N. M., Fiani, T., Fienup, D., & Jones, E.A. (2015, April). Children with Autism and their Siblings: Building a Lifelong Relationship. Paper presented at The Queens College Conference on Autism and Developmental Disabilities. New York, NY.

10. Neil, N. (2014, December). Critical Components of Intervention for Infants and Toddlers with Down Syndrome. Paper presented at DSAF 11th Annual Conference on Best Practices in the Education of Children with Down Syndrome. Brookville, NY.

11. Neil, N., Rafeeq, A., & Jones, E.A. (2014, October). Investigating Intervention Intensity: Effects on Skill Acquisition in Children with Down Syndrome. Paper presented at the 25th Annual Conference of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis. Saratoga Springs, NY

12. Neil, N., & Bauer, S. (2013, November). Hey, it works for us too: Using Applied Behavior Analysis Methodologies with Children with Down Syndrome. Paper presented at DSAF 10th Annual Conference on Best Practices in the Education of Children with Down Syndrome. Brookville, NY.

13. Neil, N., & Jones, E.A. (2013, November). Functional Analysis and Treatment of Repetitive Behavior in Children with Down Syndrome. Paper presented at the 24th Annual Conference of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis. Saratoga Springs, NY.

14. Jones, E.A., Neil, N., & Bauer, S. (2013, November). Effects of Intervention Intensity on Skill Acquisition in Children with Down Syndrome. Paper presented at the 24th Annual Conference of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis. Saratoga Springs, NY.

15. Neil, N., & Bauer, S. (2013, May). Intervention Intensity: Effects of Number of Opportunities, Session Duration, and Intertrial Interval. Paper presented at the 39th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Convention. Minneapolis, MN.

Teaching and Supervision

Recent Courses Taught

  • Behavior Analysis Research Design: Single Subject Research
  • Behavior Assessment and Treatment
  • Basic Behavior Principles
  • Advanced Topics in ABA
  • Laboratory of Practice in Applied Behavior Analysis