Refinements of Functional Communication Training for Aggression and Self-injurious Behavior
This study is looking at ways to improve Functional Communication Training (FCT), a common treatment for problem behaviors like aggression and self-injury in children. FCT teaches children to ask for what they want instead of acting out. Sometimes, these problem behaviors can return if the FCT is implemented differently or in new places. This study will test three approaches: Trad FCT, Mult FCT, and Mult FCT + Stimulus Fading. The goal is to see if using treatment signals (like colored cards) and gradually introducing natural items into the treatment setting can prevent problem behaviors from coming back. We are looking for 24 children, ages 3 to 17, who have destructive behaviors that occur at least 10 times a day and are reinforced by social attention. The study will measure how often destructive behaviors occur after treatment.
- Study design
- This interventional study plans to enroll 24 participants. It will compare three different behavioral interventions.
- What's involved
- Not specified in the trial record.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- The primary outcomes will be measured through study completion, which is an average of 3 weeks.
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Refinements of Functional Communication Training
At a glance
Conditions
NCT04045600
Where you'd take part
This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.
Children's Specialized Hospital - Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services
Somerset, New Jerseystudy coordinator listed
Recruiting
Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.
Study leadership
- Wayne W Fisher, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Who to contact
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Inclusion
What this trial measures
- Rate of Destructive Behavior in Renewal TestThrough study completion, an average of 3 weeks.
The investigators will measure the rate of destructive behavior following successful treatment when the FCT is implemented in a context not associated with treatment (e.g., the baseline, home-like context).
- Rate of Destructive Behavior in Super-Resurgence TestThrough study completion, an average of 3 weeks.
The investigators will measure the rate of destructive behavior when FCT is implemented in a context not associated with treatment (e.g., a classroom context) by an implementer who fails to reinforce the communication response. This would be similar to a busy teacher in a classroom who is unable to attend to the child due to assisting another student.
- Rate of Destructive Behavior in Reinstatement TestThrough study completion, an average of 3 weeks.
The investigators will measure the rate of destructive behavior when FCT is not implemented as prescribed (i.e., reinforcement is delivered on a time-based schedule, rather than following communication responses). This would be similar to a teacher who delivers breaks from work based on the school schedule (e.g., switching from math to reading) rather than the child's request for a break during the math period).