Autism Therapy: functional communication training (FCT)

definition of functional communication training (FCT): AAC intervention meant to reduce problem behaviors by teaching a child to use communication symbols or words written on cards to get across their needs and wants. For example, a child holds a card printed with “I don’t want to do this.”

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Effects of Modified Milieu Therapy Intervention on the Social Communicative Behaviors of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
J Autism Dev Disord, by Mancil, GR, Conroy MA, and Haydon TF, published in 2009, summarized Nov 11, 2010

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques can be combined to help children replace aberrant behavior with functional communication skills.

The purpose of this study was to see if two therapies (milieu therapy and functional communication training) could be combined to help children replace bad behavior with language. The authors measured increased communication skills, decreased use of prompts, and decreased bad behavior in three young children with autism at home and in the classroom. They found that prompts decreased with the therapy. Communication increased and bad behavior decreased to almost zero with therapy. All of these skills were generalized to untrained settings and persons.


Autism, Augmentative Communication, and Assistive Technology: What Do We Really Know?
Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, by Mirenda, P., published in 2001, summarized Nov 7, 2006

This article gives an overview of the research on different forms of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and technological advances that can help children with autism communicate more clearly.

The author begins by explaining that she is reviewing research on aided AAC systems, as opposed to unaided AAC systems. Aided AAC systems are any kind of communication techniques that require objects beyond the user's body; for instance, the picture-exchange communication system (PECS) requires cards with pictures on them. Unaided AAC systems are techniques that only require the user's body. An example of unaided AAC is sign language. The author states that the two goals of AAC interventions are to help someone become better at both: 1) being understood by others; and 2) better understanding of others. Several approaches have been used to meet these goals. Among the most well-supported interventions are: use of a visual schedule, system for augmenting language (SAL), PECS, and functional communication training (FCT). Each of these approaches is described, and the research supporting each is outlined. The author also explains how assistive technology can help children with autism, including voice output communication aids (VOCA) and computer-assisted instruction.


Replacing Prelinguistic Behaviors with Functional Communication
J Autism Dev Disord., by Keen, D., Sigafoos J., and Woodyatt G., published in 2001, summarized Sep 25, 2006

This paper describes how teachers can be trained to improve communication skills of young children with autism, and consequently decrease their disruptive behavior. Specifically, the study examined the effectiveness of a teacher-implemented therapy designed for children who are not yet able to talk.

This type of therapy is called functional communication training (FCT). It focuses on training teachers to recognize a childâ??s subtle attempts at communication and replace these attempts with the use of sign language or picture boards. Previous studies have demonstrated that as the child acquires these alternative forms of communication, there is a decrease in challenging behavior. The results of this study suggested that FCT was effective for the four young children in the study. The authors emphasize that an important component of this approach is to tailor the alternative communication to the child.


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    • Synonyms for functional communication training (FCT) include: FCT, functional communication training
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