Functional communication training to replace challenging behaviors across two behavioral outcomes

• Published in: Behavioral interventions 2000-03, Vol.15 (1), p.21-36
• Main Authors: Braithwaite, Kerrin L., Richdale, Amanda L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1072-0847; 1099-078X
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-078X(200001/03)15:1<21::AID-BIN45>3.0.CO;2-%23

The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of an intervention that included extinction and functional communication training for the reduction of multiply controlled, self‐injurious, and aggressive behaviors in a boy with autism, in a school setting. Analysis of behavioral antecedents and consequences suggested that self‐injury and aggression served the dual behavioral outcomes of escape from difficult tasks, and access to preferred objects. Treatment consisted of teaching the boy an alternate request, while challenging behaviors were concurrently placed on extinction. Acquisition of the alternate requests was associated with a decrease to zero levels of self‐injury and aggression across the two behavioral outcomes, which was maintained when a 5 second delay was implemented. Results indicate that challenging behaviors with different behavioral outcomes can be replaced with functionally equivalent communication. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.