How timing and amount of rewards affect learning in developmental disabilities

Researchers want to understand how rewards work best for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You'll complete simple tabletop tasks—like pressing buttons or choosing pictures—and earn small rewards for correct answers. By changing when and how much you're rewarded across different sessions, scientists can figure out which reward patterns help people learn and stay motivated most effectively.

Current behavioral interventions for people with developmental disabilities could be improved if we better understood the science behind how rewards motivate learning. This study fills that gap by testing fundamental principles about reward timing and amounts, which could lead to more effective treatment strategies in the future.