Functional Communication Training for Problem Behavior

N/A

Recruiting

Led By John Falligant, PhD

Research Sponsored by Auburn University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

We will include individuals between the ages of 6 to 17 with IDD who have at least one topography of SPB that is maintained by social positive (e.g., attention, access to preferred items) reinforcement. The age range is driven by the need to maximize the number of participants; there is no evidence to suggest that age is a relevant variable regarding relapse of SPB

Be younger than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up from enrollment to the end of the intervention at 16 weeks

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

"This trial aims to improve teaching self-control and communication skills to children and adolescents with challenging behaviors. Researchers want to find ways to make behavior-change treatments more effective and long-lasting, even in changing environments.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who exhibit severe problem behavior (SPB) maintained by social positive reinforcement, like seeking attention or wanting preferred items.

What is being tested?

The study tests methods such as Functional Communication Training and other techniques aimed at improving self-control and communication in participants. It seeks to ensure these skills remain effective across different environments and situations.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial involves behavioral interventions rather than medication, traditional side effects are not applicable. However, there may be stress or frustration associated with adapting to new behaviors during the training process.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ from enrollment to the end of the intervention at 16 weeks

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~from enrollment to the end of the intervention at 16 weeks

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and from enrollment to the end of the intervention at 16 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Renewal and Resurgence of Challenging Behavior

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Enhanced Teaching ArmExperimental Treatment5 Interventions

Participants in this arm will receive a behavioral intervention designed to reduce challenging behaviors and improve skill acquisition. The intervention includes functional communication training (FCT) to teach appropriate communication responses, the use of extinction-correlated stimuli to signal changes in reinforcement conditions, terminal probe schedule thinning to systematically reduce the frequency of reinforcement, competing stimuli to minimize engagement in challenging behaviors during reinforcement delays, and caregiver fading to promote skill generalization and maintenance across naturalistic environments. These strategies will be tailored to individual needs and administered within structured sessions.

0 / 1Eligibility criteria met