Functional communication training and noncontingent reinforcement in treatment of stereotypy

Boyle and team worked with three kids with autism who kept opening and closing doors.

They tested three ways to stop this: FCT alone, NCR alone, and both together.

Each kid got all three treatments in random order across sessions.

The combo of FCT plus NCR cut door stereotypy by far more than either alone.

FCT alone helped a little. NCR alone helped a little. Together they crushed the behavior.

Problem behavior results were mixed—some kids improved, some didn't.

Staats et al. (2000) showed you must match FCT to the exact reinforcer. This study proves that rule still holds when the reinforcer is stereotypy itself.

Steinhauser et al. (2021) later took the same additive idea into classrooms, pairing DRA with redirection. Boyle's FCT+NCR combo foreshadowed that classroom success.

Fritz et al. (2017) used pure NCR for problem behavior and saw quick drops. Boyle adds FCT to that NCR backbone, showing the mix works even when the target is automatic stereotypy.

Gilroy et al. (2023) later confirmed function-based communication beats eclectic methods in an RCT. Boyle's single-case evidence helped pave the way for that larger trial.

If a child’s stereotypy is the payoff, don’t pick just one tool. Run a quick FA to confirm the behavior is its own reward, then layer FCT with an arbitrary NCR schedule. You’ll likely see faster, bigger drops in stereotypy than with either tactic alone.