Functional communication training during reinforcement schedule thinning: An analysis of 25 applications

Abstract

Two principal goals of functional communication training (FCT) are (a) to eliminate destructive behavior and (b) to establish a more acceptable, yet functionally equivalent, communication response (FCR). A related and critically important goal is to thin the schedule of reinforcement for the FCR to levels that can be reasonably managed by caregivers. Researchers have described several approaches to thinning FCT reinforcement schedules. We summarize the results of 25 consecutive applications (among 20 cases) in which schedule-thinning procedures employed discriminative stimuli to signal when the FCR would and would not produce reinforcement (i.e., using multiple schedules, response restriction, or chained schedules). Results suggest that schedule-thinning procedures that use discriminative stimuli can maintain the effectiveness of FCT while they minimize the need for punishment or other supplemental procedures.

Keywords: destructive behavior; functional communication training; multiple schedules; reinforcement schedule thinning.

Figure 1

FCT schedule-thinning results for two cases with whom supplemental procedures were unnecessary. Criterion lines denote a 90% reduction in destructive behavior from baseline.

Figure 2

FCT schedule-thinning results for two cases with whom supplemental procedures were used. Criterion lines denote a 90% reduction in destructive behavior from baseline. The asterisk indicates when a progressive-prompt delay (5 s, 10 s, 20 s) was used to prompt the FCR if it had yet to occur by the specified delay.

Figure 3

Percentage of applications in which FCT schedule thinning was conducted (top panel), percentage of FCT schedule thinning applications with ≥ 4-min no-reinforcement period (middle panel), and percentage of reduction in destructive behavior (bottom panel) for all applications. Bar fill indicates the type of FCT schedule thinning. Data points indicate individual application results. Some cases were exposed to more than one type of FCT schedule thinning. Data from all applications of FCT schedule thinning are depicted.