Schedule Thinning Following Functional Communication Training: Effects of Chained and Multiple Schedules

Area of Science:

• Behavior Analysis
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Psychology

Background:

• Functional communication training (FCT) reduces problem behavior by teaching alternative communicative behaviors.
• FCT often uses dense reinforcement schedules that may not be sustainable in natural environments.
• Schedule thinning aims to maintain behavior change with less frequent reinforcement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate schedule-thinning procedures (chained and multiple schedules) following FCT for problem behavior maintained by escape.
• To assess the impact of these procedures on problem behavior and compliance.
• To determine participant preference for different schedule-thinning procedures.

Main Methods:

• Experiment 1: Assessed chained and multiple schedules for reducing escape-maintained problem behavior after FCT in three participants.
• Experiment 2: Used a concurrent-chain procedure to evaluate participant preference between chained and multiple schedules.

Main Results:

• Both chained and multiple schedules effectively reduced problem behavior.
• Compliance increased under both schedule-thinning conditions.
• The chained schedule led to higher compliance in two out of three participants.
• Participant preference varied, with one preferring the chained schedule, one the multiple schedule, and one showing no discrimination.

Conclusions:

• Schedule thinning using chained and multiple schedules is effective for maintaining behavior change after FCT.
• Chained schedules may be more effective for increasing compliance in some individuals.
• Individual preferences for reinforcement schedules should be considered in treatment planning.