Exploring factors that influence the efficacy of functional communication training
FCT takes longer when escape is one of several functions, so double your assessment and teach a mand for each reinforcer.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Weber et al. (2024) looked back at clinic charts to see why some kids sailed through FCT while others stalled. They checked each case for how many functions the problem behavior served and whether escape was in the mix.
The team used precision-medicine stats to spot which function patterns predicted success or failure. All clients got standard FCT plus extinction in a community clinic.
What they found
Kids whose behavior served only one function did best. When escape was bundled with other functions, gains were smaller and shakier.
The data flagged escape as the troublemaker. If escape was part of a multi-function picture, plan on extra assessment and tweaks.
How this fits with other research
Dougherty et al. (1994) already showed that two functions need two separate mands. Weber’s numbers now back that old rule with clinic-wide evidence.
Donahoe et al. (2000) found that multiple specific mands beat one generic mand. Weber’s study extends this idea to real-world caseloads.
Falligant et al. (2020) sketched how to predict FCT response with big-data tools. Weber’s team is the first to apply those tools to actual charts, turning the blueprint into action.
Why it matters
Before you write the FCT plan, count the functions. If your FA shows escape plus anything else, build at least two mands and schedule extra progress checks. Share this heads-up with teachers and parents so they know the road may be longer but still reachable.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Understanding factors that influence the efficacy of functional communication training has both practical and conceptual benefits. The current study extended research in this area by exploring data from 95 consecutive applications of functional communication training with extinction across two independent clinics. We selected candidate predictor variables based on conceptual analysis, conducted preliminary exploratory analyses, and then selectively applied quantitative methods that are used in precision medicine to examine their accuracy and predictive utility. Treatment outcomes were better when challenging behavior was maintained by a single function than they were when it was maintained by multiple functions; however, these differences were most apparent among cases with an escape function. We also analyzed within-session responding to explore the potential influence of unprogrammed establishing operations on decrements in treatment efficacy. Our within-session measure only distinguished responders from nonresponders when escape was one of the multiple functions. Additional research is needed to validate these findings with an independent sample and to address a number of clinical conceptual issues.
Journal of applied behavior analysis, 2024 · doi:10.1002/jaba.1078