Functional Communication Training for Multiple Reinforcers: an Evaluation of Isolated Control Following a Synthesized Context

Abstract

We evaluated the effectiveness of teaching 2 functionally and topographically dissimilar communication responses within the same sessions following a functional analysis with a synthesized contingency. We also conducted stimulus-control probes to determine the extent to which communication responses and problem behavior occurred when each contingency was presented in isolation. The child in the current study acquired communicative responses for both reinforcers, and problem behavior decreased during functional communication training (FCT). Further, relevant communication responses occurred in the respective stimulus-control probes. Results are discussed in terms of implications for research and practice regarding methods for conducting FCT following functional analyses with synthesized contingencies.