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Variables That Influence the Effectiveness of Functional Communication Training |
| Saturday, January 19, 2019 |
| 10:30 AM–11:20 AM |
| Grand Ballroom A-C |
| Area: AUT; Domain: Service Delivery |
| CE Instructor: Terry Falcomata, Ph.D. |
| Chair: Robert K. Ross (Beacon ABA Services) |
| TERRY FALCOMATA (The University of Texas at Austin) |
 Terry S. Falcomata is an Associate Professor of Special Education at the University of
Texas at Austin. He received his master’s degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from
Southern Illinois University and his Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of
Iowa. Dr. Falcomata conducts translational and applied research that focuses primarily on
the assessment and treatment of problem behavior. This research includes particular
emphases on functional communication training as well as the translation and application
of basic learning principles pertaining to persistence and relapse. In addition to pursuing
these lines of research in his human operant lab, he conducts his research in home,
school, and clinical environments with individuals with autism and other developmental
disabilities. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Behavioral Education, Associate
Editor of the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, former Associate
Editor of Behavior Analysis in Practice, and he serves on several editorial boards
including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Modification, Behavioral
Development Bulletin, Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, and
Learning Disabilities Quarterly. |
| Abstract: Functional communication training (FCT) is among the most commonly cited reinforcerbased treatments for problem behavior in the applied behavior analysis literature. Following the publication of the seminal article by Carr and Durand (1985) numerous second-generation studies have evaluated FCT and the components that impact its effectiveness in the treatment of severe problem behavior. Elements that have been studied in terms of their effects on FCT outcomes include antecedent-based variables, aspects relating to target alternative communicative responses consequence-based variables, and factors that impact generalization of treatment effects. Recent studies have also begun to evaluate treatment relapse (e.g., resurgence) pertaining to FCT both in terms of conditions under which it occurs and ways to modify FCT to prevent or mitigate relapse. The current presenter will review the conceptual basis for FCT as well as research pertaining to variables shown to influence FCT outcomes including treatment relapse. He will also present relevant applied and translational findings (including studies in progress and published works) from his applied-based and human operant laboratories. |
| Target Audience: Board certified behavior analysts; licensed psychologists; graduate students. |
| Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to: (1) discuss the conceptual foundation of FCT; (2) discuss variables that can impact the effectiveness of FCT; (3) identify variables that can produce treatment relapse pertaining to FCT; and (4) describe possible strategies for preventing or mitigating treatment relapse |
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