Areas of Expertise
- Educational Psychology
- Special Education and Disability Studies
- Teacher Education
Keywords
Applied Behavior Analysis, Assessment and Evaluation, Intervention Research, Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, Meta-Analysis, Verbal Behavior
Research Methodologies
- Action Research
- Design-Based Research
- Mixed Methods
- Program Evaluation
- Quantitative Methods
- Research Practice Partnerships
- Single Case Research
- Survey Research
Research Levels
- Adult Learning
- Early Childhood
- K–12
Research Overview
My dedication to special education and the natural science of applied behavior analysis (ABA) is rooted in my personal history and a tenacity for supporting marginalized youth. Having witnessed the transformative power of responsive educational approaches, I find joy in working with children with varying support needs. Adopting a behavior analytic lens and honing my research skills has allowed me to understand the “why” behind behavior that is supportive for a person-centered, response-to-intervention approach.
My expertise is in designing educational and positive behavior support programs for children with extensive support needs. I am interested in strength- and interest-based approaches to enhance motivation. I examine the generalization and maintenance of mastered skills to ensure meaningful outcomes. I delve into the nuances of child development, especially language development, and explore innovative ways to support children with complex communication needs. From reducing severe challenging behaviors to improving functional living skill outcomes (e.g., leisure, vocational, functional academics), I love studying how behavior science can improve lives.
I am also passionate about the systems that support adult learners in the field of special education. I investigate best practices in supervision and professional training, coinciding with my roles in supporting the MEd in Special Education, ABA Concentration program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
I am fascinated with history and innovations in single-case research design. I appreciate that single-case research can be adaptive and individualized. It is convenient when studying low-incidence populations, but one study needs replication to enhance external validity; to that end, I research best methods for single-case research data aggregation.
Recently, I have begun integrating open science research practices for greater transparency, reach, and access. I am working to align my behaviors with the value of freely giving as I have freely received.
- Čolić, M., Ninci, J., Huntington, R., Bristol, R., Taylor, G., & Araiba, S. (2025). An investigation of trainees’ supervision experiences in applied behavior analysis fieldwork. Behavior Analysis in Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-025-01132-2
- Ninci, J., Rispoli, M., Gerow, S., & Gregori, E. (2025). Use of preferred stimuli as receptive identification targets for children with autism spectrum disorder. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 9, 140-156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-024-00406-0
- Ninci, J. (2023). Single-case data analysis: A practitioner guide for accurate and reliable decisions. Behavior Modification, 47, 1455-1481. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445519867054
- Ninci, J., Neely, L. C., Burke, M. D., Rispoli, M., Vannest, K. J., Willson, V., & Ulloa, P. (2020). A meta-analysis of single-case research on embedding interests of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Remedial and Special Education, 41, 296-308. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932519841692
- Visit my Google Scholar Profile
- Ninci, J., Čolić, M., Oliver, K., & Kim, C. (2025). Research is FUNdamental as a competency for behavior analysts: A panel discussion with University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty. Panel presentation at the Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis Convention. Honolulu, HI, September 4-5.
- Ninci, J., & Čolić, M. (2025). Evaluating a digital badge system as a program addition for university-based supervised fieldwork trainees. Symposium presentation at the 51st Annual Convention for the Association of Behavior Analysis International. Washington DC, May 22-26.
- Ninci, J., & Aiono Conradi, L. (2024). University-based and public school-based lending libraries for pre-service and in-service special education teachers and behavior analysts. Poster presentation at the 25th International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability & Developmental Disabilities. Honolulu, HI, January 17-19.
- Kawasaki, S., & Ninci, J. (2024). Cultural reciprocity training on procedural integrity outcomes for behavior technicians. Poster presentation at the Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis Convention. Honolulu, HI. September 5-6.
- Extensive Support Needs Teacher Professional Development for the Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area (2021)
- Project Directors: Jennifer Ninci & Tierney Barcarse | Funding: Hawaiʻi Department of Education (American Rescue Plan funds) | Budget: $68,000 / 3 years
- This project funded a professional development series and resource library
- Associate Editor, Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (2025-current)
- Nominee, The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2019
- Stipend Recipient, Doctoral Degree Stipend Award, Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders, 2015/2016
- Participant / Cohort Member, AI-2-Xcelerate (AI2X) Professional Learning Community. University of Hawaiʻi Online Innovation Center (2026–2027).