Functional communication is all about the words, gestures or any other form of communication which convey wants and needs and builds clear interactions with other people.
Effective communication is fundamental to human interaction, yet many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face significant challenges in this area.
Functional Communication Training (FCT) has emerged as a pivotal intervention, aiming to assist individuals with ASD or other disorders that interfere with communication with practical skills that also help decrease disruptive behaviors.
In this article, you will explore the role of Functional Communication Training (FCT) in improving communication skills for individuals with autism.
Understanding Functional Communication Training
Functional Communication Training is a therapeutic approach designed to teach individuals effective means of communication to fulfill their needs thus reducing problematic behaviors. Sometimes it is necessary to teach a communication method that differs from the individual’s typical method.
For instance, if an individual can vocalize, but has difficulty at times, they might be taught to use a sign to get their needs met if that will decrease the likelihood of a tantrum.
By identifying the underlying functions of the disruptive behaviors, FCT addresses the root issues rather than merely suppressing the symptoms.
This method is particularly beneficial for individuals with autism, who may struggle with conventional forms of communication.
The Role of FCT in Autism Intervention
For individuals with ASD, challenging behaviors often serve as a form of communication, expressing needs or desires that they cannot articulate vocally. FCT focuses on replacing these behaviors with functional communication skills, enabling individuals to convey their messages more appropriately.
Research indicates that FCT is effective in reducing challenging behaviors and enhancing communication abilities in individuals with autism.
Implementing Functional Communication Training
The successful application of FCT involves several critical steps:
1. Conducting a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
An FBA is essential to identify the specific needs and triggers of the individual. This assessment helps in understanding the purpose behind challenging behaviors and informs the development of tailored communication strategies.
2. Selecting Appropriate Communication Modalities
Depending on the individual's abilities and preferences, various communication methods can be employed, including:
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)- Utilizing tools beyond spoken language, such as speech-generating devices or communication boards.
- Visual Supports- Implementing visual aids like picture cards to represent objects or actions.
- Sign Language- Teaching manual signs to convey wants and needs.
These modalities provide alternative paths for individuals to express their needs effectively.
3. Teaching and Reinforcing New Skills
Systematic instruction and positive reinforcement are crucial in helping individuals learn and consistently use new communication methods.
This process involves modeling the desired communication behavior, providing ample practice opportunities, and rewarding successful attempts (with the object requested) to encourage repetition.
Recognizing precursor behaviors is a critical part of this process. Precursor behaviors are the actions a learner displays that suggest the target behavior may soon follow. These signals act as early indicators that the individual is beginning to escalate.
In some cases, these behaviors happen quickly, so it's essential to be prepared to intervene promptly.
As soon as you notice a precursor behavior, start prompting the appropriate communication response. The aim is to guide the learner toward obtaining the desired reinforcer without resorting to the target behavior.
Waiting until the target behavior has already begun to prompt communication can unintentionally reinforce a pattern of unwanted behavior.
4. Generalizing Skills Across All Contexts
Ensuring that the individual can apply newly acquired communication skills in various environments and with different people is vital for the effectiveness of FCT.
It's important to consistently prompt the learner to use communication across different situations, ensuring they can effectively express their needs at every opportunity, but then to systematically fade those prompts so the individual does not become dependent upon them.
Gradually reducing these prompts should be done in a structured manner, but only after the learner has demonstrated independence in using the communication response in each setting.
This approach helps maintain their ability to communicate while encouraging greater independence over time. This generalization enhances the practicality and relevance of the skills learned.
5. Gradual reinforcement reduction
Thinning the schedule of reinforcement means gradually reducing how often or how strongly reinforcement is given for a desired communication response. The goal is to help individuals continue using their communication skills in a more natural and independent way while staying motivated. Below are some effective strategies to achieve this:
- Carry out delayed Reinforcement
- Reduce the Strength of Reinforcement
- Increase Response Requirements
- Monitor Progress and Adjust as Needed
It is important to note that FCT should always be reinforced with the item requested and not an additional extrinsic reinforcer, such as praise, unless the skill is not developing quickly enough.
Functional Communication Training: Real life situation!
Situation:
Let’s say your son Mike, who is 5 years old, is playing with his tablet. It is time for his bath, but he wants to keep playing. When you try to take him to the bath, he hits you and runs away. You chase after him, but it takes you a couple of minutes to catch up to him. He is hiding under his covers, playing with the tablet.
What does Mike’s behavior get him?
The Function of Mike’s behavior is to access something he wants and to delay something he does not want. He knows that in the past, when he has refused to take a bath, and instead runs away with his tablet, he has been successful in meeting his desires.
What is the problem?
Mike has learned that hitting and escaping is the way to keep playing with his tablet. Even if he has been admonished by his parents in the past, it might still be worth it to him because this behavior gets him what he wants for a short time.
Functional Communication Training (FCT) Plan:
Teach a better way to ask: (Can I have five more minutes?, More time please).
Practice when he is calm, not in the moment of frustration.
Model & Role play:
- Show him what to do.
- Role play asking for more time
- Let Mike try it.
Stay Consistent:
If he hits and or runs again, don’t let him keep the toy. Say calmly, “No hitting, you can play a little longer when you ask nicely.” Then help him try again, say,” “Can I have more time?”
Show big love for little wins:
The best response for FCT is to provide what is requested. At times, you can also praise when he communicates:
- I love how you asked for more time,that was awesome!
- Wow, you asked so nicely
- Nice manners, I’m impressed!
- I love how respectful you were.
Benefits of Functional Communication Training
Implementing FCT offers numerous advantages for individuals with autism:
- Reduction in Challenging Behaviors by providing appropriate communication alternatives, individuals are less likely to resort to problematic behaviors to express their wants and needs.
- Enhanced social interactions result in improved communication skills and facilitate better engagement with peers, family members, and educators, fostering meaningful relationships.
- Increased Independence enhances the ability to communicate effectively and empowers individuals to advocate for themselves and navigate their environments more autonomously.
Conclusion
Functional Communication Training stands as a keystone in the intervention strategies for individuals with autism. It addresses communication deficits and associated challenging behaviors.
Through careful assessment, personalized communication methods, and collaborative implementation, FCT empowers individuals with ASD to express themselves effectively, leading to improved social interactions and a better quality of life.