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Leslie Neely, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Director of Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute, Associate Director of Brain Health Consortium, Educational Psychology

Leslie Neely, Ph.D.

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Bio

Dr. Leslie Neely is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research and clinical expertise centers on progressing the treatment of severe behavior in children with autism and developmental disabilities with the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Severe behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury, and property destruction) limits children’s access to learning, social, and communication opportunities and can be particularly concerning due to the serious potential health side effects (e.g., concussion from head banging) and long-term harmful outcomes (e.g., increased risk of institutionalization). Therapy based on the science of ABA is based on the principles of reinforcement learning and focuses on identifying the function (or purpose) of a behavior and arranging environmental contingencies to favor functional communication over severe behavior. Recently, Dr. Neely has partnered with colleagues in computer science, engineering, cyber security, education, health, and kinesiology, to establish an innovative lab focused on integrating advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality, into the therapy and education of children with autism and developmental disabilities. Dr. Neely holds multiple leadership positions including Associate Editor of the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities and Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. She is also Associate Director of the Brain Health Consortium and Program Director of the Behavior Analysis Program. Finally, Dr. Neely is serving on the Executive Council for Texas Association of Behavior Analysis as a Member-at-Large.

 

Teaching

  • Behavior assessment
  • Single-case research methodology
  • Advanced Behavior Analysis
  • Advanced Single-case research methodology

 

Research Interests

  • Behavior analysis
  • Severe behavior
  • Autism
  • Intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Machine learning
  • Interventions to improve quality of life

 

Degrees

  • Ph.D., Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, 2015
  • M.Ed., Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education, Texas A&M University, 2012
  • B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2006

 

Recent Media and Clips

Honors and Awards

  • Cloud Technology Endowed Fellowship
    • Year Awarded: 2021-2022
  • Presidential Teaching Award – Tenure Track
    • Year Awarded: 2020
  • Presidential Research Award
    • Year Awarded: 2017

Presentations

International

  • Carnett, A., & Neely, L., Chen, M. T., Cantrell, K., Santos, E., & Alai, S. (2022, August) What sparks joy: Toward a process of measuring and evaluating indices of happiness in very early intervention. Symposium at the New Zealand Applied Behaviour Analysis Annual Conference. Turanga, New Zealand. [Peer-reviewed].
  • Carnett, A., & Neely, L. (2021, August) A preliminary framework for the assessment and selection of AAC modalities for young children at risk for autism. Symposium at the New Zealand Applied Behaviour Analysis Annual Conference. Auckland, New Zealand.
National

  • Castro*, L. M., Oguibe*, G. F., Cantrell*, K. Ewoldt, K.B., Wang, W., & Neely, L. (Submitted October 2023). Using a Semantics-oriented Screen Reader in Computer Coding Education. Council for Exceptional Children, San Antonio, TX.
  • *Oguibe, G. F., *Castro, L., *Cantrell, K. Ewoldt, K. B., Neely, L., Wei, W. (Submitted October 2023). Python Programming Education with Semantics-oriented Screen Reading for K-12 Students with Vision Impairments. Association of Computing Machinery SIGCSE Technical Symposium, Portland, Oregon.
  • Neely, L., Stegemann, S., Cantrell, K. (2022, May 28-31). Effects of Caregiver Coaching on Caregiver and Child Indices of Happiness. Presentation at the 48th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference. Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Neely, L., Cantrell, K., Carnett, A. (2022, May 28-31). Evaluating the Effect of Stimulus-Stimulus Pairing Procedures on Indices of Happiness With Toddlers At-Risk for Autism. Presentation at the 48th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference. Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Neely, L. (2022, May 28-31). Measuring Idiosyncratic Indices of Happiness in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Implications for Practice and Research. Chair of Symposium presented at the 48th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference. Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Neely, L., Oyama, S., & Wimberley, J. (2022, May 28-31). Feasibility of Wearable Technology to Supplement Measurement During Functional Analysis. Symposium presented at the 48th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference. Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Ximenez*, V., Neely, L. (2022, May 28-31). Evaluation of behavioral skills training on Behavior Technicians adherence to COVID-19 protocols at an Applied Behavior Analysis clinic. [Poster presentation]. 48th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference. Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Ximenez*, V., Neely, L., Cantrell, K. (2021, May 28-31). Parents sense of competency after receiving caregiver-mediated behavioral intervention for toddlers at-risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder. [Poster presentation]. Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, Online.
  • Neely, L., Tsami, L., & Graber, J. (2021, May 27-31). Training BCBAs in Telehealth Modality via Telehealth. Symposium presented at the 47th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, Online.
  • Cantrell, K. , Neely, L., Carnett, A., Kunnavatana, S., & Wimberley, J. (2021, May 27-31). Impact of Language on Behavior Assessment Outcomes. Symposium presented at the 47th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, Online.
  • Cantrell, K., Neely, L., Stegemann*, S., (2021, May 27-31). Caregiver-mediated play-based intervention for toddlers at-risk for autism. [Poster presentation]. 47th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, Online.
  • Stegemann*, S., Neely, L., Cantrell, K., (2021, May 27-31). Functional communication training for toddlers at-risk for autism. [Poster presentation]. 47th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, Online.
  • Ximenez*, V., Neely, L., Cantrell, K., (2021, May 27-31). Parents sense of competency after receiving caregiver-mediated behavioral intervention for toddlers at-risk for autism spectrum disorder. [Poster presentation]. 47th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, Online.
  • Wimberley*, J., Neely, L., Carnett, A. (2021, May 27-31). Functional communication training without extinction to decrease self-injurious behavior with subtype 1 automatic maintained behavior. Symposium presented at the 47th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, Online.
  • Neely, L. (2021, May 27-31). Further evaluation of telehealth services: Parent-implemented functional analyses and functional communication training. Chair of Symposium presented at the 47th Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Conference, Online.
  • Neely, L., MacNaul, H., & Gregori, E. (2020, May). Effects of telehealth mediated behavior analytic interventions and assessments on subject outcomes. Symposium accepted but not presented, due to COVID 19 Pandemic, at 46th Annual Convention for Association for Behavior Analysis. Washington, D.C.
  • Carnett, A., Hansen, S., McLay, L., Neely, L., & Lang, R. (2020, May). Quantitative analysis of behavioral interventions to treat sleep problems in children with autism. Symposium accepted but not presented due to COVID 19 Pandemic. 46th Annual Convention for Association for Behavior Analysis. Washington, D.C.
  • Gregori, E., Drew, C., Gerow, S., & Neely, L. (2020, May). Natural change agent implemented functional analysis: A systematic review and quality appraisal. Symposium accepted but not presented due to COVID 19 Pandemic. 46th Annual Convention for Association for Behavior Analysis. Washington, D.C.
  • Neely, L. (2019, May). Focusing on cultural and linguistic diversity in behavior analysis. Chair of Symposium presented at the 45th Annual Convention for Association for Behavior Analysis. Chicago, IL
  • Neely, L., & Wimberley*, J. (2019, May). Impact of language on skill acquisition. Symposium presented at the 45th Annual Convention for Association for Behavior Analysis. Chicago, IL
  • Neely, L., Hardt, C., Cantrell, K., & Santos*, E. (2019, May). A quantitative literature and quality review of intervention research for infants and toddlers "at-risk" for autism spectrum disorder. Poster presented at the 45th Annual Convention for Association for Behavior Analysis. Chicago, IL.
  • Neely, L., & Lansford*, A. (2019, May). A behavior analytic case example of culturally responsive consultation in schools. Symposium presented at the 45th Annual Convention for Association for Behavior Analysis. Chicago, IL
  • Gregori, E., Rispoli, M., Neely, L., Lory, C., Kim, S.Y. (2019, February). Effects of behavioral skills training on staff implementation of functional communication training. Poster presented at the Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders. Kansas City, MI.
  • Neely, L. (2019, May). DDA Sunday Poster Session. Discussant. 45th Annual Convention for Association of Behavior Analysis. Chicago, IL.
State

  • Le*, T., Neely, L., & Davis, H. (2023, March 3). Evaluation of language preference within functional communication training [Poster presentation]. Annual College of Education and Human Development Research Colloquium, San Antonio, TX, United States.
  • Le*, T., Neely, L., & Davis, H. (2023, April 28). Evaluation of language preference within functional communication training [Poster presentation]. Texas Association for Behavior Analysis, San Antonio, TX, United States.
  • Carrillo Vega*, R., Neely, L., & Kirkpatrick, M. (2023, March 3). The effect of choice of reinforcement as an antecedent intervention in reducing latency to on-task behavior [Poster presentation]. Annual College of Education and Human Development Research Colloquium, San Antonio, TX, United States.
  • Carrillo Vega*, R., Neely, L., & Kirkpatrick, M. (2023, April 28). The effect of choice of reinforcement as an antecedent intervention in reducing latency to on-task behavior [Poster presentation]. Texas Association for Behavior Analysis, San Antonio, TX, United States.
  • Gonzales*, L. N., Neely, L., & MacNaul, H. L. (2023, March 3). Comparing the rate of skill acquisition when presumed reinforcers are based off of direct and indirect assessments [Poster presentation]. Annual College of Education and Human Development Research Colloquium, San Antonio, TX, United States.
  • Corvington*, J. S., Neely, L., & MacNaul, H. L. (2023, March 3). A retrospective study of latency as a predictor of responsiveness to treatment [Poster presentation]. Annual College of Education and Human Development Research Colloquium, San Antonio, TX, United States.
  • De La Rosa*, J., Neely, L., Davis, H., Cantu, K., & Robles, W. (2023, March 3). The effect of functional communication training on challenging behavior maintained by access to tangibles in toddlers with autism [Poster presentation]. Annual College of Education and Human Development Research Colloquium, San Antonio, TX, United States.
  • De La Rosa*, J., Neely, L., Davis, H., Cantu, K., & Robles, W. (2023, April 28). The effect of functional communication training on challenging behavior maintained by access to tangibles in toddlers with autism [Poster presentation]. Texas Association for Behavior Analysis, San Antonio, TX, United States.
  • Miller*, C. M., Davis, H., & Neely, L. (2023, March 3). Increasing mask-wearing tolerance in a child with ASD using graduated exposure, prompts and differential reinforcement [Poster presentation]. Annual College of Education and Human Development Research Colloquium, San Antonio, TX, United States.
  • Miller*, C. M., Davis, H., & Neely, L. (2023, April 28). Increasing mask-wearing tolerance in a child with ASD using graduated exposure, prompts and differential reinforcement [Poster presentation]. Texas Association for Behavior Analysis, San Antonio, TX, United States.
  • Stegemann*, S.B. Neely, L.C., & Cantrell, K., (2021, Oct.). Effect of telehealth training on caregiver fidelity of A-DANCE implementation and child outcomes. [Poster presentation]. Children's Hospital of San Antonio Research Symposium, San Antonio, Tx.
  • Cantrell, K., Neely, L.C., Oyama, S., Wimberley, J. (2021, Oct.). Feasibility of wearable technology to supplement measurement during functional analysis [Poster presentation]. Children's Hospital of San Antonio Research Symposium, San Antonio, Tx.
  • Valdez*, A., Neely, L.C., & Stegemann*, S.B, Cantrell, K., (2021, Oct.). Functional communication training for caregiver on young children at-risk for autism [Poster presentation]. Children's Hospital of San Antonio Research Symposium, San Antonio, Tx.
  • Daniel*, S., Chavez*, Y., Neely, L., Cantrell, K., (2021, February) Effect of telehealth training on caregiver fidelity of A-DANCE implementation and child outcomes. Poster presented at the 36th Annual Convention for Texas Association of Behavior Analysis. Online.
  • Quiceno*, L., Preston*, L., Neely, L., Cantrell, K., (2021, February). Effect of telehealth training on caregiver fidelity of A-DANCE implementation and indices of happiness. Poster presented at the 36th Annual Convention for Texas Association of Behavior Analysis. Online.
  • Yong Patterson*, C., Pena*, L., Neely, L., Carnett, A., & Cantrell, K. (2020, April). Results from infant/toddler pre-emptive intervention on reduction of interfering behavior and increased communication. Poster presented at Texas Association of Behavior Analysis (TxABA), San Antonio, TX.
  • Gonzalez*, L., Neely, L., Carnett, A., & Wimberley, J. (2020, April). FCT without extinction to decrease SIB with subtype 1 automatic maintained behavior. Poster presented at Texas Association of Behavior Analysis (TxABA), San Antonio, TX.
  • Courtney*, M., Eros, L., Heath*, K., Neely, L., Carnett, A., Graber, J., Svoboda, M., Martinez, A., Bosl, W., Cantrell, K., & Santos, E. (2019, October). Using functional communication training decreases challenging behaviors in toddlers at-risk for autism spectrum disorder. Poster session presented at the meeting of the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Research Symposium, San Antonio, TX.
  • Neely, L., Carnett, A., Graber, J., Svoboda, M., Martinez, A., Bosl, W., Hardt, C., & Cantrell, K. (2019, October). Parent-led autism treatment for at-risk young infants and toddlers. Poster session presented at the meeting of the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Research Symposium, San Antonio, TX.
  • Stegemman*, S., Valdez*, A., Zuniga*, P., Neely, L., Carnett, A., Graber, J., Svoboda, M., Martinez, A., Bosl, W., Cantrell, K., & Santos, E. (2019, October). Teaching young children at risk of having autism spectrum disorder to communicate using an alternative modality. Poster session presented at the meeting of the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Research Symposium, San Antonio, TX.

Grants, Patents and Clinical Trials

National Science Foundation
  • i-Corps: AI-Driven Prediction, Monitoring, and Management of Unwanted Behavior in Patients with Autism: Realtime, Smart, Automated, and Personalized
    • Role: co-PI
    • Total Amount: $50,000
    • Duration: 11/15/2023-10/31/2024
National Science Foundation
  • SCC-PG: Bridge: An AI-Enabled Platform to Support Coordinated Care for Children with Autism
    • Role: co-PI
    • Total Amount: $149,999
    • Duration: 08/01/2023-07/31/2024
Community Project Funding (CPF) requests via the House Appropriations Committee (US House of Representatives)
  • Evaluation and Research Coordinating Center for the Multi-assistance Center (MAC) at Morgan’s Wonderland TM
    • Role: PI
    • Total Amount: $492,370
    • Duration: 2023
TX Workforce Comm 320
  • Explore STEM@UTSA!
    • Role: co-PI
    • Total Amount: $28,751
    • Duration: 2023
National Science Foundation: IIS Division
  • Programming and Machine Learning Education for Students with Vision Impairments through Compilers, AI and Cloud Technologies
    • Role: co-PI
    • Budget: $ 770,941.00
    • Duration: 06/2022-06/2025
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
  • Autism Grant Program – Teacher Training Category, Project ABA TEACHER
    • Role: co-PI
    • Budget: $400,000 over 2 yrs
    • Duration: 08/2022-04/2024

Publications

  • MacNaul, H., Wimberley, J., Labay, A., Novotny, M., Morgan, B., & Neely, L. (2023). Effects of an adapted telehealth training curriculum for registered behavior technicians. Published online ahead of print in Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. doi: 10.1007/s41252-022-00285-3
  • Neely, L., Oyama, S., Chen, C., Qutub, A., & Chen, C. (2023). Tutorial: Lessons learned for behavior analysts from data scientists. Published online ahead of print in Perspectives on Behavior Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-023-00376-z
  • Neely, L., Carnett, A., Quarles, J., Park, S., Kelly, M. (2023). Behavior analytic technologies mediated via augmented reality for autism: A systematic review. Published online ahead of print in Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-023-09912-w
  • Neely, L., Carnett, A., Quarles, J., MacNaul, H., Park, S., Oyama, S., Chen, G., Desai, K., & Najafirad, P. (2023). The case for integrated advanced technology in applied behavior analysis. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 7, 415-425. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-022-00309-y
  • Carnett, A., Neely, L., Gardiner*, S., Kirkpatrick, M., Quarles, J., & Christopher, K. (2023). Systematic review of virtual reality in behavioral interventions for individuals with autism. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 7, 426-442. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-022-00287-1
  • Neely, L., Carnett, A., Cantrell, K., Stegemann, S., & Svoboda, M. (2022). Functional communication training for toddlers at-risk for autism with early problem behavior. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 6, 537-548. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-022-00306-1
  • Deng, A., Yang, T., Chen, C., Chen, Q., Neely, L., Oyama, S. (2022). Language assisted deep learning for autistic behaviors recognition. Smart Health, 32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhl.2023.100444
  • Carnett, A., Neely, L., Chen, M.T., Cantrell, K., Santos, E., & Alai-Rosales, S. (2022). How might indices of happiness inform early intervention research and decision making? Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 6(4), 567-576. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-022-00288-0.
  • Neely, L., Carnett, A., Hansen, S., Courtney*, M., & Cantrell, K. (2022). Iterative development of caregiver-implemented behavioral intervention via telehealth: A focus on feasibility. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 7(2), 295-309. doi.org/10.1044/2022_PERSP-21-00219
  • Neely, L., Tsami, L., Graber, J., & Lerman, D. (2022). Towards the development of a curriculum to train behavior analysts to provide services via telehealth. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 55(2), 395-411. doi: 10.1002/jaba.904
  • Neely, L., MacNaul, H., Gregori, E., & Cantrell*, K. (2021). Effects of telehealth mediated behavior analytic interventions and assessments on subject outcomes. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(2), 484-510. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.818
  • Ghafghazi*, Shadi, Carnett, Amarie, Neely, Leslie, Das*, Arun, and Rad, Paul (2021). AI-augmented behavior analysis for children with developmental disabilities: Building towards precision treatment.” IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Magazine, 7(4), 4-12. Doi: https://arxiv.org/abs/2102.10635
  • Devine, B. & Neely, L. (2021). Multiple-tact training may promote the emergence of receptive categorization and selection responses but results limited by methodological rigor. Evidence-Based Communication Assessment and Intervention 14(4), 236-242. https://doi.org/10.1080/17489539.2020.1853797
  • Neely, L., Carnett, A., Kunnavatana, S., Wimberley*, J., & Cantrell*, K. (2021). Impact of language on behavior assessment outcomes. Journal of Behavioral Education. Online first. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-020-09419-w 46. Gregori, E., Rispoli, M., Neely, L., Lory, C., Kim, S. Y., David, M. (in press). Training direct service personnel in functional communication training with adults with disabilities. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 33(4), 669-692. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-020-09766-6
  • Ninci, J., Neely, L. C., Burke, M. D., Rispoli, M., Vannest, K. J., & Willson, V. (2020). A meta-analysis of single-case research on embedding interests of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Remedial and Special Education, 41(5), 296-308. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932519841692
  • Lane, C. J., Neely, L., Castro-Villarreal, F., & Villarreal, V. (2020). Using coaching with video analysis to improve teachers’ classroom management practices: Methods to increase implementation fidelity. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 28 (3), 543-569. Waynesville, NC USA: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education. Retrieved December 20, 2020 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/215683/.
  • Neely, L., Castro-Villarreal, F., Ponce*, K & Gerow, S. (2020). Clinic-based behavioral skills training to teach caregivers adaptive skill interventions for children with autism. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 4(3), 295-307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-020-00166-7
  • Lerman, D. C., O’Brien, M. J., Neely, L., Call, N. A., Tsami L., Schieltz, K….& Cooper-Brown, L. J. (2020). Remote coaching of caregivers via telehealth: Challenges and potential solutions. Journal of Behavioral Education, 29(2), 195-221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-020-09378-2
  • Neely, L., Hong, E., Kawamini*, S., Umana*, I., & Kurz*, I. (2020). Intercontinental telehealth to train Japanese interventionists in incidental teaching for children with autism. Journal of Behavioral Education,29(2), 433-448. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-020-09377-3
  • Neely, L., Gann, C., Castro-Villarreal, F., & Villarreal, V. (2019). Preliminary findings of culturally responsive consultation with educators. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13(1), 270-281. doi: 10.1007/s40617-019-00393-y
  • Carnett, A., Hansen, S., McLay, L., Neely, L., & Lang, R. (2019). Quantitative-analysis of behavioral interventions to treat sleep problems in children with autism. Developmental Neurorehabiltiation, 23(5), 271-284. doi: 10.1080/17518423.2019.1646340
  • Carnett, A., Neely, L., & Hong, E., Escobar*, J., (2019). Choosing a response topography for individuals with autism during functional communication training: A critically appraised topic. Evidence-Based Communication Assessment and Intervention, 13(1), 85-105. doi: 10.1080/17489539.2019.1602298.
  • Neely, L., Graber, J., Kunnavatana, S., & Cantrell*, K. (2019). Impact of language on behavior assessment and intervention outcomes. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(2), 796-810. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.626
  • Boles M.B., Ganz, J.B., Hagan-Burke, S., Hong, E., Neely, L., Davis, J., & Zhang, D. (2019). Effective interventions in teaching employment skills to individuals with developmental disabilities: A single-case meta-analysis. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 6(2), 200-215. doi: 10.1007/s40489-019-00163-0