| The potential of using Functional Communication Training for preventing minor problems from escalating to more intense levels was investigated. Eight children who exhibited minor problem behaviors at home or school participated in small learning groups focused on teaching language skills. Four of these children participated in groups in which the teacher administered Functional Communication Training (FCT) (i.e., functional communication skills to gain attention were taught and reinforced). The other four children participated in a control group receiving Expressive Language Training (ELT) (i.e., identifying and answering questions). Following participation in the ELT group, the children were switched to FCT in the Extended Intervention Phase. The children who participated in the FCT group did not exhibit an increase in the intensity or frequency of problem behaviors. The level of their problem behavior remained low. However, the ELT children exhibited these increases. Hence, FCT appeared to prevent the escalation of minor problem behaviors to more serious ones. |
