The long-term effects of functional communication training in home settings

J Appl Behav Anal. 1997 Fall;30(3):507-31. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1997.30-507.

Abstract

A four-phase study was conducted in the homes of 4 young children who displayed aberrant behavior. Phases 1 and 2 consisted of a series of descriptive and experimental analyses to identify the environmental antecedents and consequences that controlled aberrant behavior. Phases 3 and 4 evaluated the short- and long-term effects of treatment on aberrant behavior, target mands, and collateral (social and toy play) behaviors. The effects of treatment were monitored for up to 27 months to assess long-term suppression of aberrant behavior. The assessment results successfully identified environmental events that occasioned and maintained aberrant behavior for all children. The short-term treatment resulted in immediate decreases in aberrant behavior for 3 of 4 children. Long-term treatment was successful for all children and was correlated with substantial response generalization. These results are interpreted in relation to functional equivalence, pivotal responding, and response generalization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Behavior Therapy
  • Child Behavior Disorders / psychology
  • Child Behavior Disorders / therapy*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Communication*
  • Disabled Children / psychology
  • Early Intervention, Educational
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Generalization, Response
  • Home Care Services
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / psychology
  • Intellectual Disability / therapy
  • Language Development Disorders / psychology
  • Language Development Disorders / therapy*
  • Male
  • Play and Playthings
  • Social Behavior
  • Social Environment*
  • Treatment Outcome