Efficiency and preference for alternative activities during schedule thinning with functional communication training.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral psychology
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Background:

• Functional communication training (FCT) is a primary intervention for reducing socially reinforced destructive behavior.
• Multiple schedules are commonly used in FCT to thin reinforcement schedules, often without concurrent stimuli.
• The natural environment frequently includes accessible items and activities during extinction (SΔ) periods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of concurrently available items and activities during schedule thinning in FCT.
• To compare a control condition (no stimuli during SΔ) with conditions featuring noncontingent access to tangible items, attention, or demands.
• To assess participant preference for different SΔ conditions after reaching the terminal schedule.

Main Methods:

• Four participants were taught a functional communication response to access reinforcers.
• A multiple schedule was implemented during schedule thinning, with varying SΔ conditions.
• Participant preference for SΔ conditions was assessed post-intervention.

Main Results:

• All participants reached the terminal schedule when alternative items and activities were available during SΔ intervals.
• Participant preference aligned with the most efficient schedule thinning condition.
• Therapists also expressed a preference for conditions involving alternative items and activities.

Conclusions:

• The inclusion of concurrent, noncontingent stimuli during schedule thinning in FCT can enhance treatment efficiency.
• Participant preference is a valuable consideration in optimizing FCT procedures.
• This approach may lead to more practical and preferred treatment protocols in applied settings.