A Systematic Review of Parent-Implemented Functional Communication Training for Children With ASD.
Parent-run FCT works fast, but you must coach parents over time or the plan will fade.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Gerow et al. (2018) looked at 26 studies where parents ran Functional Communication Training at home.
All kids had autism. The team asked: Does parent-run FCT cut problem behavior? They also checked if parents kept using the plan months later.
What they found
Parent-run FCT lowered hitting, yelling, and self-injury in every study.
But only a few studies tracked if parents stuck to the plan. We do not know if the gains last.
How this fits with other research
Ouyang et al. (2024) built a bigger map. Their 2024 network meta-analysis folds these same FCT studies into 32 trials of parent-led programs like PRT and ESDM. The big picture still says parent training works, but the 2024 paper adds a clear road map: start with ImPACT for easy wins, then layer ESDM and PRT.
van Noorden et al. (2022) tested a two-step coaching plan for ESDM. A short group class plus one-on-one coaching lifted parent skill and child words. This gives you a ready-made model for keeping fidelity high after you teach FCT.
Szempruch et al. (1993) ran parent-made photo schedules long before FCT was common. Kids stayed calmer for up to 10 months. This early study shows parent tools can last when they are simple and visual.
Why it matters
You can trust parent-run FCT to cut problem behavior right away. Add van Noorden’s two-step coaching to keep parents accurate over time. Start with a quick group lesson, then short booster visits. Track fidelity monthly so you catch drift before behavior returns.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Supporting parents in reducing challenging behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) requires the identification of effective, feasible, and sustainable interventions. Functional communication training (FCT) is one of the most well-established interventions in the behavioral literature and is used increasingly by parents. However, there is a need for additional evaluation of the literature related to parent-implemented FCT. In the present review, we identified 26 peer-reviewed studies on parent-implemented FCT. We conducted systematic descriptive and social validity analyses to summarize the extant literature. Across studies, parent-implemented FCT was effective in reducing child challenging behavior, and in some cases, intervention outcomes maintained and generalized to novel settings and implementers. However, few studies reported fidelity data on parent implementation of FCT, and data regarding sustained use of FCT by parents were limited. Results of the social validity analysis indicate that while FCT is often implemented by natural change agents in typical settings, parent training is often provided by professionals not typically accessible to parents. These findings suggest that future research is warranted in the areas of parent training and long-term sustainability of parent-implemented FCT.
Behavior modification, 2018 · doi:10.1177/0145445517740872