The long-term effects of functional communication training in home settings.
A four-phase study was conducted in the homes of 4 young children who displayed aberrant behavior. Phases 1 and 2 consisted of a series of descriptive and experimental analyses to identify the environmental antecedents and consequences that controlled aberrant behavior. Phases 3 and 4 evaluated the short- and long-term effects of treatment on aberrant behavior, target mands, and collateral (social and toy play) behaviors. The effects of treatment were monitored for up to 27 months to assess long-term suppression of aberrant behavior. The assessment results successfully identified environmental events that occasioned and maintained aberrant behavior for all children. The short-term treatment resulted in immediate decreases in aberrant behavior for 3 of 4 children. Long-term treatment was successful for all children and was correlated with substantial response generalization. These results are interpreted in relation to functional equivalence, pivotal responding, and response generalization.
Derby
K M
KM
University of Iowa, USA. MDerby@soe.gonzaga.edu
Wacker
D P
DP
Berg
W
W
DeRaad
A
A
Ulrich
S
S
Asmus
J
J
Harding
J
J
Prouty
A
A
Laffey
P
P
Stoner
E A
EA
D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005794:Generalization, Response; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D016896:Treatment Outcome