[Reducing self-injurious behaviour through functional communication training--a single case study]

Carr and Durand (1977) postulated for the first time that self-injurious and aggressive behaviour can be reduced in individuals with intellectual impairment by teaching them communication responses. Meanwhile, primarily in the Anglo-American linguistic area, a number of publications exist that address the topic of Functional Communication Training. Conducted in this single case study were a preference assessment to identify edible and material reinforcers, and an experimental functional analysis to document the functions of the self-injurious behaviour. In addition, the efficacy of Functional Communication Training was assessed within an ABAB design. The results underscore the importance of functional assessment, which, within the intervention discussed, led to a significant reduction of self-injurious behaviour.