EFFECTS OF PUBLIC REVIEW AND POSTING OF CLIENT PROGRESS ON STAFF IMPLEMENTATION OF FUNCTIONAL COMMUNICATION TRAINING

Abstract

Three interventions using public posting and review of client data in order to increase the effectiveness of staff implementation of functional communication training (FCT) within a school setting were compared. These interventions included: public review and posting of client data, public review and posting of client data paired with a coded shape for each staff member, and public review and posting of client data paired with a coded shape for each staff member with added reinforcement incentives. There were three student participants and three staff participants. For two student participants, FCT increased from baseline through intervention phases and staff were more likely to implement functional communication training during the final phase where reinforcement was added for the staff. Added reinforcement increased staff implementation of FCT paired with public review and posting of client data. For the third participant, results varied, but staff implemented the most during the public review and posting phases compared to baseline and reached a mean of 10 responses per session. There was also a negative correlation between functional communication responses (FCR) and challenging behaviors for two participants. This supports previous research and demonstrates the value of functional communication training as a behavior intervention tactic.