The Experts below are selected from a list of 6621 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
David P. Wacker - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Delivering Interventions Via Telehealth: Functional Communication Training with a Child with Autism as a Case Example
Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 2020Co-Authors: Matthew J. O’brien, Kelly M Schieltz, Wendy K Berg, Jennifer J. Mccomas, David P. WackerAbstract:In this article, we provide a case example of how telehealth can be used by care providers in their homes to access empirically validated procedures such as Functional Communication Training. As shown in the case example, complex assessment and intervention procedures were implemented successfully by care providers in their homes while receiving real-time coaching by behavior analysts who were located in a hospital in a different city. This case example is representative of the results we obtained thus far; substantial improvements in challenging and adaptive behavior occurred. Given these results obtained to date with telehealth, in terms of both outcomes of interventions and rated acceptability of the procedures by care providers, further and more widespread application of telehealth is warranted.
-
The Long-Term Effects of Functional Communication Training Conducted in Young Children's Home Settings
Education and Treatment of Children, 2017Co-Authors: David P. Wacker, Jay W Harding, Wendy K Berg, Kelly M Schieltz, Yaniz C. Padilla Dalmau, John F. LeeAbstract:This article describes the results of a series of studies that involved Functional Communication Training (FCT) conducted in children’s homes by their parents. The 103 children who participated were six years old or younger, had developmental delays, and engaged in destructive behaviors such as self-injury. The core procedures used in each study were Functional analyses (FA) and FCT conducted by parents with coaching by the investigators. The overall results of the projects showed that the FA plus FCT intervention package produced substantial reductions in destructive behavior ( M = 90 %), which were often maintained following treatment. In terms of behavioral momentum theory, these results suggest that analyses of behavioral persistence provide an explicit technology of maintenance.
-
further demonstrations of individual preference among mand modalities during Functional Communication Training
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 2016Co-Authors: Joel E Ringdahl, David P. Wacker, Wendy K Berg, Stephen Ryan, Anna Ryan, Kayla Crook, Maggie A MolonyAbstract:Previous research related to Functional Communication Training has demonstrated its effectiveness across various Communication modalities. Additionally, at least one study has demonstrated that, while the intervention can be effective across various Communication modalities, individual participants demonstrate a preference among available Communication modalities (indicated by response allocation under a concurrent schedules arrangement). The current study evaluated preference among concurrently available Communication modalities for 18 individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Results of the study indicated that each of the individuals demonstrated a preference between communicative response modalities, though preference was not always immediately ascertained. The results are discussed within the context of implications for design and implementation of Functional Communication Training.
-
Relations Between Consumption of Functional and Arbitrary Reinforcers During Functional Communication Training
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 2016Co-Authors: Rachael M. Fewell, Patrick W. Romani, David P. Wacker, Scott D. Lindgren, Todd G. Kopelman, Debra B. WaldronAbstract:We conducted a retrospective analysis of consumption of classes of reinforcement during Functional Communication Training (FCT). The four participants were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and displayed problem behavior maintained by positive (tangibles) and negative (escape from demands) reinforcement via a Functional analysis (FA). In Experiment 1 of the current analysis, data were collected on consumption of tangibles, attention, and escape during reinforcement intervals of FCT. As hypothesized, reinforcers shown to maintain problem behavior were often consumed. However, three participants also consumed moderate to high levels of attention, an arbitrary reinforcer not identified by the FA. In Experiment 2, we studied the relationship between quality of attention and consumption of attention. Significant correlations were shown between quality of attention and consumption of attention for three participants. These data showed that while classes of reinforcement identified as maintaining problem behavior are consistently consumed during FCT, arbitrary classes of reinforcement might be important to consider also for treatment.
-
RESURGENCE OF MANDS FOLLOWING Functional Communication Training
Revista mexicana de analisis de la conducta = Mexican journal of behavior analysis, 2015Co-Authors: Wendy K Berg, Patrick W. Romani, David P. Wacker, Joel E Ringdahl, Stephen E. Ryan, Anna D. Ing, Nicole Lustig, Jennifer K. Andersen, Emily DurakoAbstract:Experimental conditions similar to those described by Lieving and Lattal (2003) were used within two experiments to evaluate the resurgence of mands with humans. Two mands from the same operant class were trained with three participants with developmental disabilities during Experiment 1 and with two participants with developmental disabilities and a history of problem behavior during Experiment 2. The two mands were then placed on extinction. Both persisted, but showed different response strength during extinction. The mand with the weaker response strength was targeted for additional Functional Communication Training and the alternative mand was placed on extinction. Following steady levels of occurrence of the targeted mand and no occurrences of the alternative mand, both mands were placed on extinction again. At least one instance of resurgence of the alternative mand occurred with every participant and resurgence of problem behavior occurred for both participants during Experiment 2.
Stephanie Gerow - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Resurgence of Challenging Behavior Following Functional Communication Training for Children with Disabilities: a Literature Review
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 2020Co-Authors: Supriya Radhakrishnan, Stephanie Gerow, Regan WestonAbstract:Functional Communication Training (FCT) is highly effective in reducing challenging behavior and increasing appropriate Communication in children with developmental disabilities. However, the challenging behavior may re-occur following successful treatment with Functional Communication Training when the Functional Communication response contacts extinction. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate the variables that reduce resurgence of challenging behavior following successful treatment. For the current review, the systematic search yielded 14 articles from the current literature that evaluated resurgence following Functional Communication Training. The effect of demand fading, the language of instruction, the presence of stimuli associated with the intervention, previous exposures to extinction, schedule of reinforcement during baseline, and reinforcing multiple mands were evaluated in the present literature review. Overall, relatively few applied studies with human participants have evaluated variables that affect resurgence. It is imperative that future research utilizes systematic manipulation to identify variables that reduce the resurgence of challenging behavior. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.
-
A Comparison of Demand Fading and a Dense Schedule of Reinforcement During Functional Communication Training.
Behavior analysis in practice, 2019Co-Authors: Stephanie Gerow, Supriya Radhakrishnan, Tonya N. Davis, Abby Hodges, Amy FeindAbstract:Ample research indicates that Functional Communication Training (FCT) is an effective intervention to reduce challenging behavior. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of demand fading on escape-maintained challenging behavior, mands, and task completion for 2 children with autism spectrum disorder. The study utilized an embedded reversal and alternating-treatments design to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention and compare the efficacy of the demand fading and dense schedule conditions. During FCT, participants were taught 2 mand topographies, one of which was associated with demand fading. FCT with and without demand fading resulted in decreases in challenging behavior for both participants. FCT with demand fading resulted in higher task completion for both participants. The effect of demand fading on the rate of mands varied by participant. Results provide further support for the use of FCT. The importance of intervention fading in the treatment of challenging behavior is discussed.
-
Functional Communication Training for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Quality Appraisal
Journal of Behavioral Education, 2019Co-Authors: Emily Gregori, Corey Peltier, Derya Genc-tosun, Catharine Lory, Oliver Wendt, Stephanie Gerow, Zachary S. GoldAbstract:Functional Communication Training (FCT) is one of the most common treatments for challenging behavior and is considered an empirically supported practice for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, no previous systematic review has evaluated the quality of FCT for adults with ASD, and the empirical support for this practice among adults is unknown. The purpose of the current review was to synthesize the extant research, including a quality appraisal of the literature on the use of FCT to treat challenging behavior for adults with ASD. We identified 20 studies that evaluated the efficacy of FCT in reducing challenging behavior for adults with ASD. The quality of each article was evaluated based on the What Works Clearinghouse design and evidence standards. Following the quality and evidence evaluations, eight studies, including eight experiments, were found to have moderate or strong evidence of effectiveness. The current body of literature provides some evidence for the efficacy of FCT in reducing challenging behavior for adults with ASD, but additional research in this area is warranted.
-
Functional Communication Training: The Strength of Evidence Across Disabilities:
Exceptional Children, 2018Co-Authors: Stephanie Gerow, Emily Gregori, Supriya Radhakrishnan, Tonya N. Davis, Gabby RiveraAbstract:Functional Communication Training (FCT) is a commonly used, often recommended intervention that involves teaching a Functionally equivalent communicative response to replace challenging behavior. T...
-
Functional Communication Training: The Strength of Evidence Across Disabilities
Exceptional Children, 2018Co-Authors: Stephanie Gerow, Emily Gregori, Supriya Radhakrishnan, Tonya Davis, Gabby RiveraAbstract:Functional Communication Training (FCT) is a commonly used, often recommended intervention that involves teaching a Functionally equivalent communicative response to replace challenging behavior. The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate the strength of the evidence for the use of FCT. A systematic review of the literature resulted in the identification of 215 single-case-design articles that evaluated the efficacy of FCT to reduce challenging behavior for individuals diagnosed with a disability. FCT resulted in a decrease in challenging behavior for 135 participants. The reviewers rated FCT as an evidence-based practice for individuals with autism, intellectual disability, other health impairments, and multiple disabilities based on What Works Clearinghouse standards. Overall, the extant literature indicates FCT consistently results in the reduction of challenging behavior in children with disabilities. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.
Kelly M Schieltz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Delivering Interventions Via Telehealth: Functional Communication Training with a Child with Autism as a Case Example
Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 2020Co-Authors: Matthew J. O’brien, Kelly M Schieltz, Wendy K Berg, Jennifer J. Mccomas, David P. WackerAbstract:In this article, we provide a case example of how telehealth can be used by care providers in their homes to access empirically validated procedures such as Functional Communication Training. As shown in the case example, complex assessment and intervention procedures were implemented successfully by care providers in their homes while receiving real-time coaching by behavior analysts who were located in a hospital in a different city. This case example is representative of the results we obtained thus far; substantial improvements in challenging and adaptive behavior occurred. Given these results obtained to date with telehealth, in terms of both outcomes of interventions and rated acceptability of the procedures by care providers, further and more widespread application of telehealth is warranted.
-
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Functional Communication Training via Telehealth for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2020Co-Authors: Scott Lindgren, Kelly M Schieltz, David Wacker, Alyssa Suess, Kelly Pelzel, Todd Kopelman, Patrick Romani, Matthew O’brienAbstract:Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have problem behaviors that interfere with learning and social interaction. This randomized controlled trial compared treatment with Functional Communication Training (FCT) to “treatment as usual” for young children with ASD (n = 38, ages 21–84 months). FCT was conducted by parents with Training and real-time coaching provided by behavioral consultants using telehealth. FCT treatment via telehealth achieved a mean reduction in problem behavior of 98% compared to limited behavioral improvement in children receiving “treatment as usual” during a 12-week period. Social Communication and task completion also improved. For children with ASD and moderate to severe behavior problems, parent-implemented FCT using telehealth significantly reduced problem behavior while ongoing interventions typically did not.
-
The Long-Term Effects of Functional Communication Training Conducted in Young Children's Home Settings
Education and Treatment of Children, 2017Co-Authors: David P. Wacker, Jay W Harding, Wendy K Berg, Kelly M Schieltz, Yaniz C. Padilla Dalmau, John F. LeeAbstract:This article describes the results of a series of studies that involved Functional Communication Training (FCT) conducted in children’s homes by their parents. The 103 children who participated were six years old or younger, had developmental delays, and engaged in destructive behaviors such as self-injury. The core procedures used in each study were Functional analyses (FA) and FCT conducted by parents with coaching by the investigators. The overall results of the projects showed that the FA plus FCT intervention package produced substantial reductions in destructive behavior ( M = 90 %), which were often maintained following treatment. In terms of behavioral momentum theory, these results suggest that analyses of behavioral persistence provide an explicit technology of maintenance.
-
conducting Functional Communication Training via telehealth to reduce the problem behavior of young children with autism
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 2013Co-Authors: David P. Wacker, Kelly M Schieltz, Scott D. Lindgren, Todd G. Kopelman, Kelly Pelzel, Jennifer Kuhle, Shannon M. Dyson, Yaniz Padilla C Dalmau, Debra B. WaldronAbstract:Functional Communication Training (FCT) was conducted by parents of 17 young children with autism spectrum disorders who displayed problem behavior. All procedures were conducted at regional clinics located an average of 15 miles from the families’ homes. Parents received coaching via telehealth from behavior consultants who were located an average of 222 miles from the regional clinics. Parents first conducted Functional analyses with telehealth consultation (Wacker, Lee et al. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, in press) and then conducted FCT that was matched to the identified function of problem behavior. Parent assistants located at the regional clinics received brief Training in the procedures and supported the families during the clinic visits. FCT, conducted within a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design, reduced problem behavior by an average of 93.5 %. Results suggested that FCT can be conducted by parents via telehealth when experienced applied behavior analysts provide consultation.
-
an evaluation of resurgence during Functional Communication Training
Psychological Record, 2013Co-Authors: David P. Wacker, Jay W Harding, Theresa A Morgan, Wendy K Berg, Kelly M Schieltz, Yaniz C PadillaAbstract:Three children who displayed destructive behavior maintained by negative reinforcement received Functional Communication Training (FCT). During FCT, the children were required to complete a demand and then to mand (touch a card attached to a microswitch, sign, or vocalize) to receive brief play breaks. Prior to and 1 to 3 times following the initiation of FCT, extinction probes were conducted to evaluate the resurgence of destructive behavior when the microswitch without the mand card was present or the microswitch and the mand card were absent to determine if different patterns of resurgence occurred when the microswitch was present or absent and, for 2 of the children, if changes in resurgence occurred at different points in treatment. Results showed that FCT led to relatively rapid reductions in destructive behavior. During all extinction sessions, resurgence of destructive behavior occurred with only minimal differences across the switch/no card and no-switch conditions.
Emily Gregori - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Training Direct Service Personnel in Functional Communication Training with Adults with Disabilities
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 2020Co-Authors: Emily Gregori, Catharine Lory, Mandy Rispoli, Leslie Neely, Marie DavidAbstract:Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) may engage in challenging behavior. These behaviors present challenges to support staff who often lack Training in effective behavior management procedures. Behavioral skills Training (BST) is an empirically supported method of staff Training and has been used to teach support staff a number of intervention skills. The purpose of this study was to extend the literature on BST and to examine the effects of BST on staff implementation of Functional Communication Training (FCT) for three adults with IDD using a non-concurrent multiple baseline design. Results indicated that with BST, staff fidelity increased over baseline levels. With the addition of individualized coaching, staff implementation reached mastery criteria. Improvements in staff implementation fidelity corresponded with decreases in participant challenging behavior and increases in appropriate Communication. Findings suggest that BST with coaching may be an effective method to train staff to implement FCT with adults.
-
Functional Communication Training for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Quality Appraisal
Journal of Behavioral Education, 2019Co-Authors: Emily Gregori, Corey Peltier, Derya Genc-tosun, Catharine Lory, Oliver Wendt, Stephanie Gerow, Zachary S. GoldAbstract:Functional Communication Training (FCT) is one of the most common treatments for challenging behavior and is considered an empirically supported practice for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, no previous systematic review has evaluated the quality of FCT for adults with ASD, and the empirical support for this practice among adults is unknown. The purpose of the current review was to synthesize the extant research, including a quality appraisal of the literature on the use of FCT to treat challenging behavior for adults with ASD. We identified 20 studies that evaluated the efficacy of FCT in reducing challenging behavior for adults with ASD. The quality of each article was evaluated based on the What Works Clearinghouse design and evidence standards. Following the quality and evidence evaluations, eight studies, including eight experiments, were found to have moderate or strong evidence of effectiveness. The current body of literature provides some evidence for the efficacy of FCT in reducing challenging behavior for adults with ASD, but additional research in this area is warranted.
-
Functional Communication Training: The Strength of Evidence Across Disabilities:
Exceptional Children, 2018Co-Authors: Stephanie Gerow, Emily Gregori, Supriya Radhakrishnan, Tonya N. Davis, Gabby RiveraAbstract:Functional Communication Training (FCT) is a commonly used, often recommended intervention that involves teaching a Functionally equivalent communicative response to replace challenging behavior. T...
-
Functional Communication Training: The Strength of Evidence Across Disabilities
Exceptional Children, 2018Co-Authors: Stephanie Gerow, Emily Gregori, Supriya Radhakrishnan, Tonya Davis, Gabby RiveraAbstract:Functional Communication Training (FCT) is a commonly used, often recommended intervention that involves teaching a Functionally equivalent communicative response to replace challenging behavior. The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate the strength of the evidence for the use of FCT. A systematic review of the literature resulted in the identification of 215 single-case-design articles that evaluated the efficacy of FCT to reduce challenging behavior for individuals diagnosed with a disability. FCT resulted in a decrease in challenging behavior for 135 participants. The reviewers rated FCT as an evidence-based practice for individuals with autism, intellectual disability, other health impairments, and multiple disabilities based on What Works Clearinghouse standards. Overall, the extant literature indicates FCT consistently results in the reduction of challenging behavior in children with disabilities. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.
-
A Systematic Review of Parent-Implemented Functional Communication Training for Children With ASD.
Behavior modification, 2017Co-Authors: Stephanie Gerow, Emily Gregori, Mandy Rispoli, Shanna Hagan-burke, Rose A. Mason, Jennifer NinciAbstract:Supporting parents in reducing challenging behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) requires the identification of effective, feasible, and sustainable interventions. Functional Communication Training (FCT) is one of the most well-established interventions in the behavioral literature and is used increasingly by parents. However, there is a need for additional evaluation of the literature related to parent-implemented FCT. In the present review, we identified 26 peer-reviewed studies on parent-implemented FCT. We conducted systematic descriptive and social validity analyses to summarize the extant literature. Across studies, parent-implemented FCT was effective in reducing child challenging behavior, and in some cases, intervention outcomes maintained and generalized to novel settings and implementers. However, few studies reported fidelity data on parent implementation of FCT, and data regarding sustained use of FCT by parents were limited. Results of the social validity analysis indicate that while FCT is often implemented by natural change agents in typical settings, parent Training is often provided by professionals not typically accessible to parents. These findings suggest that future research is warranted in the areas of parent Training and long-term sustainability of parent-implemented FCT.
Wendy K Berg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Delivering Interventions Via Telehealth: Functional Communication Training with a Child with Autism as a Case Example
Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 2020Co-Authors: Matthew J. O’brien, Kelly M Schieltz, Wendy K Berg, Jennifer J. Mccomas, David P. WackerAbstract:In this article, we provide a case example of how telehealth can be used by care providers in their homes to access empirically validated procedures such as Functional Communication Training. As shown in the case example, complex assessment and intervention procedures were implemented successfully by care providers in their homes while receiving real-time coaching by behavior analysts who were located in a hospital in a different city. This case example is representative of the results we obtained thus far; substantial improvements in challenging and adaptive behavior occurred. Given these results obtained to date with telehealth, in terms of both outcomes of interventions and rated acceptability of the procedures by care providers, further and more widespread application of telehealth is warranted.
-
The Long-Term Effects of Functional Communication Training Conducted in Young Children's Home Settings
Education and Treatment of Children, 2017Co-Authors: David P. Wacker, Jay W Harding, Wendy K Berg, Kelly M Schieltz, Yaniz C. Padilla Dalmau, John F. LeeAbstract:This article describes the results of a series of studies that involved Functional Communication Training (FCT) conducted in children’s homes by their parents. The 103 children who participated were six years old or younger, had developmental delays, and engaged in destructive behaviors such as self-injury. The core procedures used in each study were Functional analyses (FA) and FCT conducted by parents with coaching by the investigators. The overall results of the projects showed that the FA plus FCT intervention package produced substantial reductions in destructive behavior ( M = 90 %), which were often maintained following treatment. In terms of behavioral momentum theory, these results suggest that analyses of behavioral persistence provide an explicit technology of maintenance.
-
further demonstrations of individual preference among mand modalities during Functional Communication Training
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 2016Co-Authors: Joel E Ringdahl, David P. Wacker, Wendy K Berg, Stephen Ryan, Anna Ryan, Kayla Crook, Maggie A MolonyAbstract:Previous research related to Functional Communication Training has demonstrated its effectiveness across various Communication modalities. Additionally, at least one study has demonstrated that, while the intervention can be effective across various Communication modalities, individual participants demonstrate a preference among available Communication modalities (indicated by response allocation under a concurrent schedules arrangement). The current study evaluated preference among concurrently available Communication modalities for 18 individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Results of the study indicated that each of the individuals demonstrated a preference between communicative response modalities, though preference was not always immediately ascertained. The results are discussed within the context of implications for design and implementation of Functional Communication Training.
-
RESURGENCE OF MANDS FOLLOWING Functional Communication Training
Revista mexicana de analisis de la conducta = Mexican journal of behavior analysis, 2015Co-Authors: Wendy K Berg, Patrick W. Romani, David P. Wacker, Joel E Ringdahl, Stephen E. Ryan, Anna D. Ing, Nicole Lustig, Jennifer K. Andersen, Emily DurakoAbstract:Experimental conditions similar to those described by Lieving and Lattal (2003) were used within two experiments to evaluate the resurgence of mands with humans. Two mands from the same operant class were trained with three participants with developmental disabilities during Experiment 1 and with two participants with developmental disabilities and a history of problem behavior during Experiment 2. The two mands were then placed on extinction. Both persisted, but showed different response strength during extinction. The mand with the weaker response strength was targeted for additional Functional Communication Training and the alternative mand was placed on extinction. Following steady levels of occurrence of the targeted mand and no occurrences of the alternative mand, both mands were placed on extinction again. At least one instance of resurgence of the alternative mand occurred with every participant and resurgence of problem behavior occurred for both participants during Experiment 2.
-
an evaluation of resurgence during Functional Communication Training
Psychological Record, 2013Co-Authors: David P. Wacker, Jay W Harding, Theresa A Morgan, Wendy K Berg, Kelly M Schieltz, Yaniz C PadillaAbstract:Three children who displayed destructive behavior maintained by negative reinforcement received Functional Communication Training (FCT). During FCT, the children were required to complete a demand and then to mand (touch a card attached to a microswitch, sign, or vocalize) to receive brief play breaks. Prior to and 1 to 3 times following the initiation of FCT, extinction probes were conducted to evaluate the resurgence of destructive behavior when the microswitch without the mand card was present or the microswitch and the mand card were absent to determine if different patterns of resurgence occurred when the microswitch was present or absent and, for 2 of the children, if changes in resurgence occurred at different points in treatment. Results showed that FCT led to relatively rapid reductions in destructive behavior. During all extinction sessions, resurgence of destructive behavior occurred with only minimal differences across the switch/no card and no-switch conditions.
