Functional communication training and chained schedules of reinforcement to treat challenging behavior maintained by terminations of activity interruptions.
In this article, the authors evaluated functional communication training (FCT) and a chained schedule of reinforcement for the treatment of challenging behavior exhibited by two individuals diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and autism, respectively. Following a functional analysis with undifferentiated results, the authors demonstrated that challenging behavior was occasioned by interruptions of ongoing activities and maintained by terminations of interruptions. Next, they demonstrated the effectiveness of a treatment consisting of FCT with a chained schedule of reinforcement. Last, they modified the chained schedule procedure to increase ease of implementation and promote toleration of activity interruptions, and academic tasks were incorporated into the treatment.
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA. falcomata@austin.utexas.edu
Terry S
TS
Falcomata
Henry S
HS
Roane
Colin S
CS
Muething
Kasey M
KM
Stephenson
Anna D
AD
Ing
D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D016896:Treatment Outcome