Further Evaluation of a Fixed‐Lean Approach to Facilitate Schedule Thinning Following Functional Communication Training

Ramirez et al. (2025) tested a fast way to thin reinforcement after FCT.

They used a fixed-lean multiple schedule: 60 s when the mand worked, then 240 s when it did not.

Three children with problem behavior took part in a single-case design.

Two kids kept problem behavior low and still asked nicely with the lean 60/240 schedule.

One child needed a slower, step-by-step thinning plan instead.

Overall, the fixed-lean start worked for most, but not all.

Greer et al. (2016) showed thinning with clear S-delta and S-d signals keeps FCT working; Ramirez tightens that idea into one fixed 60/240 protocol.

Spriggs et al. (2016) used similar multiple schedules but saw resurgence in two of three kids. The clash fades when you see they used looser, naturally-occurring cues; Ramirez used tighter fixed timing, giving cleaner stimulus control.

Kelley et al. (2023) stretched the same signaled thinning trick to noncontingent reinforcement, proving the brief signal method works across interventions.

Kranak et al. (2024) now list fixed-lean starts in their new post-FCT guidelines, placing Ramirez inside the fresh best-practice box.

You can now start thinning right after FCT with a 60 s reinforcement window followed by a 240 s break. Most kids keep low problem behavior and good manding, so you save weeks of slow steps. Watch for one-third who need a gentler fade and switch to a progressive plan when data slip.