Comprehensive Functional Communication Training

At Aspire Spectrum, Functional Communication Training (FCT) is a cornerstone of our approach to reducing challenging behavior and empowering individuals with a voice. FCT is one of the most well-researched and effective interventions in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for addressing behaviors such as aggression, self-injury, and tantrums. The core principle is simple yet profound: challenging behavior is often a form of communication. Our goal is to teach individuals a more effective and appropriate way to communicate their wants and needs.

Developed by Dr. Carr and Dr. Durand in the 1980s, FCT is a systematic process for replacing a challenging behavior with a functional, communicative replacement behavior. Instead of just trying to stop a behavior, we first seek to understand its purpose (its function) and then teach a better way for the individual to achieve that same purpose.

Why is FCT so Effective?

FCT is effective because it is a proactive and positive approach. It doesn't just punish a behavior; it teaches a skill. By providing individuals with a reliable way to get their needs met, we reduce the motivation for engaging in challenging behavior. This approach is not only more humane, but research has shown it is also more likely to produce lasting, meaningful behavior change that generalizes across different environments.

The FCT Process: A Step-by-Step Approach

Our implementation of FCT follows a systematic, evidence-based process:

1. Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA): The first and most critical step is to conduct a thorough FBA to determine the function of the challenging behavior. We need to know why the behavior is happening. The most common functions are:
   • Attention: The individual engages in the behavior to get social attention from others.
   • Escape/Avoidance: The behavior helps the individual get out of or avoid a non-preferred task or situation.
   • Access to Tangibles: The behavior results in the individual getting a desired item or activity.
   • Automatic Reinforcement: The behavior itself is internally reinforcing (e.g., it feels good or alleviates a negative internal state).
2. Identifying a Replacement Behavior: Based on the function, we select a communication-based replacement behavior. The key is that the replacement must be more efficient than the challenging behavior. It needs to be easier to perform and more quickly reinforced.
3. Teaching the Replacement Behavior: We systematically teach the individual to use the new communicative response through prompting and reinforcement. We create many opportunities to practice the new skill in a controlled environment.
4. Reinforcing the Replacement Behavior: Every time the individual uses the replacement behavior, we immediately provide the specific reinforcement that matches the function identified in the FBA. For example, if the function was escape, using the replacement behavior results in a break from the task.
5. Ignoring or Blocking the Challenging Behavior: Simultaneously, we stop reinforcing the challenging behavior. This is called extinction. This combination makes the new, appropriate communication the only effective way for the individual to get their needs met.
6. Generalization and Maintenance: We systematically thin the schedule of reinforcement and teach the skill across different settings and with different people to ensure it is durable and used everywhere.

Examples of Functional Communication

The form of communication we teach is always individualized to the person's abilities and needs. It can be:

• Vocal: Teaching a child to say "break, please" instead of throwing materials to escape a difficult task.
• Sign Language: Teaching a non-vocal child to sign "play" instead of pulling on someone's arm for attention.
• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): Teaching an individual to exchange a picture of a desired toy instead of grabbing it from a peer.
• Speech-Generating Device (SGD): Programming a button for "I need help" for an individual who would otherwise engage in self-injury when frustrated.

Your Role as a Caregiver is Crucial

For FCT to be successful, consistency is key. We work closely with parents, teachers, and other caregivers to ensure that everyone in the individual's life understands the plan. Your partnership involves:

• Consistently Reinforcing Communication: Promptly and consistently honoring the new communication method.
• Not Reinforcing the Challenging Behavior: Withholding reinforcement for the old, challenging behavior.
• Collecting Data: Helping us track how often the new skill is used and how much the challenging behavior is decreasing.

Functional Communication Training is a powerful, respectful, and effective approach to behavior change. It moves beyond simply managing behavior to empowering individuals with the skills they need to successfully navigate their world. Contact Aspire Spectrum to learn more about how FCT can help your child.