Assessing Mand Topography Preference When Developing a Functional Communication Training Intervention.
Let the learner pick the communication form—five-minute preference probes during FCT setup boost success and cut problem behavior.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Kunnavatana et al. (2018) worked with two non-verbal adults with autism.
The team let each adult try three ways to ask for items: picture card, sign, or voice output device.
After a short five-minute probe with each form, the learner picked the one they liked best.
FCT then taught only that chosen form to replace problem behavior.
What they found
Both adults quickly showed a clear favorite.
When FCT reinforced the preferred form, independent requests rose and problem behavior dropped.
Letting the learner choose the communication form made the treatment work faster.
How this fits with other research
Valentino et al. (2019) also asked “which mand form?” but used a skill test, not a choice.
They found picture exchange won when two-syllable vocal imitation was missing.
Shanun’s preference probe gives the same answer in less time and respects client autonomy.
Chambers et al. (2003) compared PECS and sign without asking the learner.
Their data favored PECS, yet Shanun shows we should still ask—one adult in their study picked sign anyway.
Stagnone et al. (2025) stretched FCT to repetitive verbal behavior, proving the framework holds even when the problem is words, not hits.
Why it matters
You no longer need long assessments to pick a mand form.
Run a quick five-minute taste test with two or three options.
Honor the learner’s pick, then build FCT around it.
You’ll save time, reduce frustration, and get faster drops in problem behavior.
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Join Free →Lay out a picture card, a sign model, and a speech app—let the learner interact with each for one minute, count which one they approach most, and start FCT with that form.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
Functional communication training (FCT) is a common function-based behavioral intervention used to decrease problem behavior by teaching an alternative communication response. Therapists often arbitrarily select the topography of the alternative response, which may influence long-term effectiveness of the intervention. Assessing individual mand topography preference may increase treatment effectiveness and promote self-determination in the development of interventions. This study sought to reduce arbitrary selection of FCT mand topography by determining preference during response training and acquisition for two adults with autism who had no functional communication skills. Both participants demonstrated a clear preference for one mand topography during choice probes, and the preferred topography was then reinforced during FCT to reduce problem behavior and increase independent communication. The implications of the results for future research on mand selection during FCT are discussed.
Behavior modification, 2018 · doi:10.1177/0145445517751437