Interventions Including Functional Communication Training to Decrease Problem Behavior of Children and Teens with Disabilities
Mariam Hassan
Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: College of Education
Major: Applied Behavior Analysis
Faculty Research Mentor: Daphna El Roy
Abstract:
Abstract: Children and teens diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) and developmental disabilities may engage in challenging behaviors, including aggression, problematic behaviors, or self-injurious behaviors. Engaging in these behaviors can significantly impact their social and academic functioning . These behaviors may serve as a form of communication when the individual lacks alternative ways to express their needs, wants, or distress.Functional Communication Training (FCT) is an evidence-based intervention used to teach individuals a more appropriate, functional way of communicating, and reducing the occurrences of challenging behaviors. FCT involves identifying the functions of the behaviors such as escape, attention, tangible, and sensory and teaching them the alternative communication such as verbal communication, picture exchange, or using a communication device. This study explores the effectiveness of FCT in decreasing challenging behaviors in children and teens diagnosed with ASD or developmental disabilities, focusing on studies and interventions strategies, the importance of individual plans, assessments, and educators and caregivers implementing strategies to reduce problem behaviors in children and teens with ASD and developmental disabilities in school, clinical, and home settings using a variety of articles and a survey was administered to teachers, assistant teachers, speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, and registered behavior technicians at a special education school using applied behavior analysis. They were asked 16 questions about functional communication training and were asked how effective it was. The results demonstrated that using FCT to decrease challenging behaviors was an effective method to use to help children and teens with ASD and developmental disabilities replace challenging behaviors with an appropriate way to communicate their wants/ needs.