Functional Communication Training (FCT)

Step 1. Identifying the Interfering Behavior

Identify an interfering behavior or a subtle communicative form that may be an interfering behavior.

Step 2. Completing a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

1. A. Complete a high-quality FBA that includes:
   1. indirect assessment (e.g., interviews, record reviews, questionnaires) and
   2. direct assessment (e.g., Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence observation).
2. Identify the function of the interfering behavior.

Step 3. Identifying a Replacement Behavior as a Substitute for Interfering Behavior

1. Select a form of communication that is appropriate to the learner (e.g., signing, verbalizations, pictures).
2. Choose a replacement behavior that:
   1. can be taught in a short amount of time and
   2. allows the learner to quickly learn the behavior and gain access to the reinforcement.
3. Identify a replacement behavior that is acceptable and appropriate for the environment and the learner.
4. Choose a replacement behavior that is recognized by multiple communicative partners.
5. Incorporate attention-getting into the replacement behavior if necessary (e.g., when using sign language).

Step 4. Designing Implementation Data Collection Procedures

1. Implement data collection procedures that are functional, meaningful, and available to team members responsible for data collection.
2. Data are collected:
   1. before FCT is implemented (typically during the FBA process) and
   2. during the implementation of FCT (e.g., weekly).
3. Data collection focuses on:
   1. antecedents,
   2. prompts required by the learner to produce the replacement behavior,
   3. frequency of the replacement behavior,
   4. frequency of the interfering behavior, and
   5. consequences of the replacement/interfering behavior (i.e., what happens right after the replacement/interfering behavior).
4. Use data to monitor FCT effectiveness and whether aspects of FCT need adjustment.

Step 5. Manipulating the Environment to Elicit the Interfering Behavior

1. Teach the replacement behavior in the environments where the interfering behavior occurs.
2. Manipulate materials or activities to provide opportunities for repeated practice of the replacement behavior.

Step 6. Planning Opportunities for Generalization

1. Teach the replacement behavior(s) with multiple communication partners.
2. Teach the replacement behavior(s) across multiple environments.
3. Train communicative partners to respond to the learner’s use of the replacement behavior.
4. Introduce varied vocabulary for requesting, if appropriate for the learner’s developmental level.

Step 7. Prompting Learners to Use Replacement Behavior(s)

Prompt the learner to use the replacement behavior, beginning with a prompt that ensures errorless learning.

Step 8. Not Reinforcing the Interfering Behavior

1. Do not reinforce any instance of the interfering behavior, if possible.
2. Intervene as minimally as possible if the interfering behavior is potentially dangerous.
3. For subtle communicative acts, make the interfering behavior less efficient than the replacement behavior by:
   1. pausing after the learner uses the subtle communicative act,
   2. asking, “What do you want?”
   3. prompting the learner to use the replacement behavior, and
   4. providing reinforcement for using the replacement behavior.

Step 9. Providing Reinforcement

All communicative partners consistently provide immediate reinforcement in response to the replacement behavior.

Step 10. Shaping the Response

1. Initially accept any approximation of the replacement behavior.
2. Begin to require more conformance to the desired replacement behavior as training continues.

Step 11. Fading the Use of Prompts

Teachers/practitioners slowly fade the use of prompts, using data and time delay.

Step 12. Increasing the Time Between the Replacement Behavior and Reinforcement

1. Teachers/practitioners talk with team members to determine a reasonable amount of time for learners to wait between production of the replacement behavior and delivery of reinforcement.
2. Teachers/practitioners slowly increase the length of time between the production of the replacement behavior and the delivery of reinforcement.

Step 13. Monitoring Learner Progress

1. Collect progress-monitoring data for individual learners to determine:
   1. Learners’ use of communicative acts in different settings
   2. The type and intensity of prompts needed by learners to use communicative acts correctly
2. Use progress monitoring data to determine next steps.