Analysis of terminal schedule probes and schedule thinning effects following functional communication training
A single terminal-schedule probe flags high-risk cases before you thin FCT.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Kranak et al. (2022) tested a one-session safety check before thinning FCT.
They ran a single "terminal schedule probe" with the final lean schedule.
If problem behavior stayed low, they moved ahead. If it spiked, they slowed down.
What they found
Two of three treatments failed the probe.
Problem behavior jumped above baseline during that one test.
The team saw the jump as a red flag and planned gradual thinning instead of a big leap.
How this fits with other research
Falligant et al. (2022) saw the same spike pattern when they cut reinforcement fast.
Their data show resurgence grows exponentially with the size of the downshift.
Laureano et al. (2024) checked 46 kids and found only downshift size predicted relapse.
Together the three studies say: big schedule jumps cause big trouble.
Zangrillo et al. (2016) and Briggs et al. (2017) thinned FCT without probes.
Kranak adds a quick screen before you pick either chained or mult schedules.
Why it matters
Before you thin, run one session at the goal schedule. Count problem behavior. If it rises, shrink the steps. If it stays flat, move ahead. This five-minute probe can save weeks of resurgence later.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
AbstractFunctional communication training (FCT) is a behavioral intervention that results in reduction of problem behavior and acquisition of adaptive communication responses. After FCT, schedule thinning is typically conducted to make community implementation of FCT more feasible. Specifically, the density of reinforcement for the alternative response is gradually decreased over time. It is plausible that one could avoid schedule thinning by proceeding to the terminal schedule thinning value without first systematically decreasing the density of reinforcement along the way. However, very little applied research exists in which the terminal schedule values are probed prior to schedule thinning. We conducted terminal schedule probes before schedule thinning and analyzed the relapse of problem behavior before and after schedule thinning. Rates of problem behavior in the terminal probes exceeded those in baseline in two out of three treatments prior to schedule thinning. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
Behavioral Interventions, 2022 · doi:10.1002/bin.1842