What is Functional Communication Training (FCT)?

• A. Teaching a more appropriate communicative response that serves the same function as the problem behavior.
• B. Punishing the problem behavior to decrease it.
• C. Ignoring the problem behavior.
• D. Reinforcing the problem behavior.

Answer: (B)

Functional Communication Training teaches a more appropriate way to communicate that serves the same purpose as the challenging behavior. The approach starts by identifying the function of the problem behavior—what the learner is trying to achieve, such as gaining attention, escaping a demand, obtaining a preferred item, or obtaining sensory input. Then a clear, efficient alternative communication response is taught and reinforced so it reliably produces the same outcome. Reinforcement for the new communication strengthens it, while the problem behavior is not reinforced, helping it to decrease over time. Prompts are faded as the learner can use the new response independently, and the skill is practiced in multiple settings to promote generalization.