What is Functional Communication Training (FCT) and how does it relate to replacing problem behavior?

What is Functional Communication Training (FCT) and how does it relate to replacing problem behavior?

• A. FCT teaches a communication response that serves the same function as the problem behavior, strengthening functional communication to reduce maladaptive behavior.
• B. FCT relies on punishment to reduce problem behaviors.
• C. FCT ignores the functional function and focuses on skills unrelated to the problem behavior.
• D. FCT is a diagnostic tool for identifying disorders.

Answer: (A)

Functional Communication Training teaches a communication response that serves the same function as the problem behavior, strengthening functional communication to reduce maladaptive behavior. The idea is to give the person an appropriate, language- or gesture-based way to obtain the same reinforcer (like attention, a break from a task, or access to a desired item) that the problem behavior currently yields. By reinforcing the new, appropriate communication and typically withholding reinforcement for the problem behavior, the individual learns that using the alternative message reliably gets the desired outcome, so the maladaptive behavior decreases. For example, a child who screams to escape work learns to use a simple request to take a break, and the break is provided when the request is made, while screaming is not reinforced. This approach is about replacing the function of the behavior, not using punishment, and it’s not a diagnostic tool.

Functional Communication Training teaches a communication response that serves the same function as the problem behavior, strengthening functional communication to reduce maladaptive behavior. The idea is to give the person an appropriate, language- or gesture-based way to obtain the same reinforcer (like attention, a break from a task, or access to a desired item) that the problem behavior currently yields. By reinforcing the new, appropriate communication and typically withholding reinforcement for the problem behavior, the individual learns that using the alternative message reliably gets the desired outcome, so the maladaptive behavior decreases. For example, a child who screams to escape work learns to use a simple request to take a break, and the break is provided when the request is made, while screaming is not reinforced. This approach is about replacing the function of the behavior, not using punishment, and it’s not a diagnostic tool.