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. 2019 Oct;24(2):100-119.
doi: 10.1037/bdb0000085. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Using Schedule-Correlated Stimuli During Functional Communication Training to Promote the Rapid Transfer of Treatment Effects

Brian D Greer  1 , Wayne W Fisher  1 , Adam M Briggs  1 , Katherine R Lichtblau  1 , Lauren A Phillips  1 , Daniel R Mitteer  1
Affiliations

Using Schedule-Correlated Stimuli During Functional Communication Training to Promote the Rapid Transfer of Treatment Effects

Brian D Greer et al. Behav Dev Bull. 2019 Oct.

Abstract

Prior research has shown that bringing functional communication responses under the discriminative control of schedule-correlated stimuli facilitates rapid reinforcement schedule thinning and the transfer of functional communication training (FCT) treatment effects to other therapists and settings. In Experiment 1, we extended this body of research by rapidly transferring FCT treatment effects to a caregiver, despite the caregiver's unique and lengthy history of reinforcement of the child's destructive behavior. In Experiment 2, we evaluated the degree to which FCT treatment effects transferred to another participant's caregivers when the caregivers implemented FCT with and without schedule-correlated stimuli. Rapid transfer of FCT treatment effects occurred only when caregivers used the schedule-correlated stimuli. We discuss the use of schedule-correlated stimuli within FCT procedures as a method of programming for generalization when extending treatment to caregivers.

Keywords: destructive behavior; functional communication training; generalization; schedule-correlated stimuli.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Results of Kari’s (top panel) and Teddy’s (bottom panel) FA. For Kari’s FA, therapist-conducted sessions are represented by open data points and caregiver conducted sessions are represented by closed data points across attention sessions (square data points) and escape (triangle data points) conditions. Kari’s caregiver alternated with a therapist in conducting the toy-play condition.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Rates of Kari’s destructive behavior (open triangles) along with percentage of correct FCRs (closed circles) and compliance (closed triangles) across sessions of caregiver-conducted baseline and chained FCT with RR (top panel) and therapist-conducted FCT schedule thinning (bottom panel). Schedule-thinning values are denoted.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Rates of Kari’s destructive behavior (open squares) along with percentage of correct FCRs (closed circles) across sessions of caregiver-conducted baseline and mult FCT with RR (top panel) and therapist-conducted FCT schedule thinning (bottom panel). Schedule-thinning values are denoted.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Rates of Kari’s destructive behavior (open data points) along with percentage of correct FCRs (closed circles) and compliance (closed triangles) across sessions of caregiver-conducted baseline and chained FCT with RR for escape-maintained destructive behavior (top panel) and caregiver-conducted baseline and mult FCT with RR for attention-maintained destructive behavior (bottom panel).
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Rates of Teddy’s destructive behavior along with percentage of correct FCRs across caregiver-conducted baseline, mult-FCT, and mixed-FCT sessions, as well as therapist-conducted mult-FCT sessions. Panels are arranged by implementer, and data fill corresponds to condition type. All FCT sessions were conducted at the terminal 60/240-s schedule.
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