A component analysis of schedule thinning during functional communication training.

The team compared two ways to thin reinforcement after FCT. One group used a multiple schedule. The other used a mixed schedule.

Kids with developmental delay had already learned a simple FCT hand sign. Instead of fading reinforcement slowly, the staff jumped straight to lean schedules. They wanted to see if problem behavior would stay low without the usual baby steps.

Multiple schedules won. Problem behavior stayed low and the FCT response stayed strong.

Mixed schedules did not work as well. Problem behavior crept back up. The kids also asked for help more than needed.

Hastings et al. (2001) first showed that signaled multiple schedules keep problem behavior down. Capio et al. (2013) now prove you can skip the slow fade and still get the same calm result.

Briggs et al. (2018) scare us by saying resurgence hits 76 % of thinning steps. That sounds like a contradiction, but their cases used gradual fades or tandem schedules. The 2013 study jumped straight to lean multiple schedules, which may block the resurgence trap.

Strohmeier et al. (2024) add a safety check. They run a quick probe first to be sure the lean schedule will work. You can use their probe idea if you worry about moving too fast.

You can save weeks of therapy time. After FCT is solid, switch to a signaled lean multiple schedule right away. Use a green card for reinforcement periods and no card for extinction. Watch data for one week. If problem behavior stays low, you are done thinning. If not, run the Strohmeier probe and adjust.