Functional Communication Training for Toddlers At-Risk for Autism with Early Problem Behavior

Objective Problem behavior typically emerges in early childhood as part of human development. Current approaches to intervention wait to see if child maturation will naturally lead to reduction of behavior. However, for children at-risk for autism, there is may be a need to provide intervention during this early phase to prevent escalation of problem behavior and promote functional communication. Functional communication training (FCT) is an evidence-based intervention that consists of identifying the function of problem behavior, and teaching a functional communication response (FCR) that serves the same function as the problem behavior. In this study, researchers evaluated the use of FCT to teach toddlers at risk for autism to appropriately request for caregiver attention instead of engaging in early problem behavior (EPB) when the caregiver withdrew their attention. Methods Four children participated in this study. Researchers used a non-concurrent multiple baseline design to evaluate the effects of FCT on participant FCR and EBP. Sessions occurred twice a week for up to 15 weeks. Results EPB decreased for all participants from 100% of trials in baseline to 0% of trials in intervention. The use of functional communication increased in all participants from 0% of trials in baseline to 100% of trials in intervention. Two of the four participants maintained their treatment gains during the reversal phase. Conclusions This study replicates previous FCT research by extending the evidence-based practice to very young children (under 3 years old) who meet criteria to be identified as at-risk for autism.