Evaluating parent use of functional communication training to replace and enhance prelinguistic behaviours in six children with developmental and physical disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate parent use of functional communication training (FCT) to replace and enhance prelinguistic behaviours in six young children with developmental and physical disabilities.


METHODS
Initially, the communicative functions of the children's prelinguistic behaviours were assessed by parent interviews. Three communication functions were identified for each child and intervention goals to replace or enhance the child's existing prelinguistic behaviours were developed in consultation with parents. After a baseline phase, parents received training on implementation of FCT. Intervention was staggered across the three communicative functions in a multiple-probe design.


RESULTS
Intervention was associated with increases in the replacement communication behaviour. Treatment gains were generally maintained at the monthly follow-ups.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that parents can use FCT to enhance communication skills in children with developmental and physical disabilities.
Tait
Kathleen
K
School of Development and Learning, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Sigafoos
Jeff
J
Woodyatt
Gail
G
O'Reilly
Mark
M
Lancioni
Giulio
G
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015588:Observer Variation; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome