Supporting individuals with challenging behavior through functional communication training and AAC: research review

Abstract

The term “functional communication training” (FCT) has been used over the past decade to refer to a set of procedures designed to reduce challenging behavior by teaching functionally equivalent communication skills. Functional communication training requires a thorough assessment to identify the function (or “message”) of the behavior of concern and systematic instruction related to the new communicative behaviors. The growing body of empirical literature demonstrating the efficacy and mechanisms of this procedure has included a number of examples in which augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) techniques were used during intervention. The purpose of this review is to summarize the extant FCT/AAC research in an accessible format and to identify areas for future research in this area.

• behavior problems
• functional communication
• severe disabilities
• training