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Updated: Nov 2, 2025

A Computerized Functional Skills Assessment and Training Program Targeting Technology Based Everyday Functional Skills
Published on: February 13, 2020
Coaching paraeducators to implement functional communication training involving augmentative and alternative
Virginia L Walker1, Megan E Carpenter1, Kristin J Lyon2
1Department of Special Education and Child Development, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Abstract:
Paraeducators play an important role in assisting teachers and other professionals to support students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including delivering positive behavioral supports to those students who engage in persistent challenging behavior. The purpose of this multiple baseline design across participants study was to support paraeducators to implement functional communication training (FCT) to address challenging behavior among three students with ASD who used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Paraeducators implemented FCT with high levels of fidelity after participating in an initial training session and follow-up coaching and generally found the initial training and coaching strategies to be effective and feasible. Reductions in challenging behavior were variable across student participants. Implications for practice and future research directions are discussed in relation to FCT for students with ASD who use AAC and paraeducator training.
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