Establishing discriminative control of responding using functional and alternative reinforcers during functional communication training

Functional communication training (FCT) is a popular treatment for problem behaviors, but its effectiveness may be compromised when the client emits t he target communication response and reinforcement is either delayed or den ied. In the current investigation, we trained 2 individuals to emit differe nt communication responses to request (a) the reinforcer for destructive be havior in a given situation (e.g., contingent attention in the attention co ndition of a functional analysis) and (b) an alternative reinforcer (e.g., toys in the attention condition of a functional analysis). Next, we taught the participants to request each reinforcer in the presence of a different discriminative stimulus (SD). Then, we evaluated the effects of differentia l reinforcement of communication (DRC) using the functional and alternative reinforcers and correlated S(D)s, with and without extinction of destructi ve behavior. During all applications, DRC (in combination with S(D)s that s ignaled available reinforcers) rapidly reduced destructive behavior to low levels regardless of whether the functional reinforcer or an alternative re inforcer was available or whether reinforcement for destructive behavior wa s discontinued (i.e., extinction).