Functional Communication Training for Elementary Students with ASD - Does it Reduce Problem Behaviors?

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to answer the question, "Do elementary-aged students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who are taught to use conventional protest that is honored by their teacher, experience a reduction in problematic behaviors that currently serve that purpose?" By using the approach of Functional Communication Training, it was hypothesized that teaching students with ASD functional communication would decrease the amount of problem behaviors that were currently serving that purpose for the child. This research was done using a single subject research design, as this was the best design to determine whether a functional relationship existed between the FCT and the behavior of the students involved. It was hypothesized that teaching students with ASD functional communication would decrease the amount of problem behaviors that were currently serving that purpose for the child.