Evaluating the use of a competing item during FCT schedule thinning

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2017

First Committee Member

Sassi, Jessica

Second Committee Member

Roscoe, Eileen

Third Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel

Abstract

"Functional communication training (FCT) is a commonly prescribed intervention when a functional analysis has demonstrated that problem behavior is maintained by social consequences (Carr & Durand, 1985). Initially during FCT, the functional reinforcer is immediately delivered contingent upon each functional communication response; however it can be difficult for a caregiver to follow this schedule long term (Fisher, Kuhn, & Thompson, 1998). The purpose of this study was to determine if providing a competing item that was unrelated to the variables maintaining behavior during FCT schedule thinning would result in lower rates of problem behavior than FCT schedule thinning alone. Participants included two students from a residential school for children with autism. Effective treatments were identified for both participants, although the competing item only resulted in more rapid schedule thinning for one participant. Following treatment, a reinforcer assessment was conducted to determine relative reinforcing effects for both the competing item and the functional reinforcer."

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