Louisiana State University (LSU)
Thuan Tran is a doctoral student in School Psychology at Louisiana State University (LSU), where her research focuses on improving systems of support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The School Psychology program at LSU collaborates closely with the Behavior Analysis program, providing an interdisciplinary foundation for her work. Her thesis examines how law enforcement officers (LEOs) can be better prepared to respond safely and effectively to behavioral crises involving adults with I/DD in post-secondary education settings.
LEOs are often the first responders when individuals with I/DD experience behavioral crises in the community. These encounters may escalate because of challenges related to communication, disability identification, and effective de-escalation strategies. Although training programs for law enforcement exist, many lack real-world applicability and are not tailored to specific populations or settings. Thuan's research addresses this gap by focusing on post-secondary education, where the number of transition programs for students with I/DD continues to grow. These programs support students in developing independent living, social, and vocational skills, yet campus law enforcement officers often receive limited training for interacting with individuals with complex communication and behavioral needs. Thuan’s study systematically replicates and extends previous research by using Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavioral Skills Training (BST) to train LEOs within university settings. A unique feature of the project is the inclusion of adults with I/DD as confederates during training, allowing officers to practice de-escalation and behavior management strategies in realistic scenarios while evaluating whether skills generalize across different individuals.
Funding from the SABA grant will support compensation for adults with I/DD serving as confederates and increase the number of confederates available to assess skill generalization. It also creates opportunities for confederates who have employment and career development goals, providing meaningful, skill-building opportunities. Lastly, the funding will improve the training materials provided to LEOs as well as the development of a finalized training product that will be shared for downstream dissemination with the local institution.
Thuan is the lead investigator under the supervision of Shawn Gilroy and is supported by an interdisciplinary committee of psychologists and behavior analysts. She will conduct the training, collect reliability data, and disseminate the findings, with the goal of expanding behavior analytic practices in law enforcement and improving crisis outcomes for adults with I/DD.
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