Every parent of a child with autism longs for their child to be able to communicate in the best way possible.
When your child lacks the tools to express themselves, signs of frustration will undoubtedly appear. If you have ever felt that their behavior is complicated in that regard, we have the solution for you.
At Koala ABA & Learning Centers, we understand that Functional Communication Training (FCT) is the bridge that can transform your child’s silence into real connections.
By focusing on their communication skills, we aim for your child to achieve emotional and social autonomy.
Want to know how this methodology, based on ABA Therapy, is changing the lives of hundreds of families in Florida?
Keep reading!
What is Functional Communication Training (FCT)?
To understand functional communication training in ABA, we should visualize it as a toolbox for children with autism.
For children with developmental delays, conventional words are not always the first option. Furthermore, this intervention is based on a simple principle: behavior is a form of language.
In this way, when we implement FCT in ABA, we are teaching a communicative replacement behavior. This means that, instead of focusing on what is “wrong,” we focus on what “actually works.”
Thus, functional communication training is highly effective because it:
- Validates the child’s needs: We recognize that the child always has something important to say.
- Reduces anxiety: Knowing they will be understood, the child’s stress levels decrease.
- Is proactive: It doesn’t wait for a crisis to occur; instead, it prepares the child before frustration escalates.
- Fosters connection: It creates a channel of mutual trust between the child, their therapists, and their family.
Challenging Behaviors: Why do they occur and how to address them?
As parents, it is natural to feel distress when faced with your child’s problematic behaviors. However, it is crucial to understand that these actions are not a lack of discipline: they are failed attempts at communication.
In this sense, reducing challenging behaviors with ABA begins with a shift in perspective: seeing the behavior as an inefficient solution the child found for a real problem.
Let’s analyze, from the perspective of functional communication training, why these challenges arise:
- Lack of expressive language: The child knows what they want but doesn’t know how to ask for it in a way that others understand.
- Difficulty in processing: The environment can be overwhelming (noises, lights, smells), and the child uses behavior to call for a “stop.”
- Previous effectiveness: If in the past a scream successfully resulted in being given a candy, the child’s brain registers that action as a successful strategy.
- Social barriers: The inability to initiate an interaction can lead the child to perform disruptive acts just to be noticed.
How does Functional Communication Training work step-by-step?
The implementation of functional communication training in ABA is a scientific and structured process.
Naturally, it is supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). It involves a strategic plan designed so the child experiences immediate success in their communication skills.
Here we explain it step-by-step:
Behavioral Assessment to understand the “Why”.
First, we perform a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA). This diagnosis is fundamental for the ABA communication intervention to be truly effective.
During this assessment, we observe:
- Antecedents: What happened right before the behavior?
- Consequence: What did the child get after acting that way?
- Function: We determine if the goal is to obtain an object, attention, escape from a task, or sensory stimulation.
Teaching functional communication skills.
Once the “why” of the behavior is identified, we select the best way for the child to express themselves. The goal is for the new skill to be much more efficient than the previous behavior.
Through this step of functional communication training, we teach:
- Approximations: Validating everything from a simple gesture to a full word.
- Persistence: Teaching the child to advocate for themselves appropriately if they are not heard the first time.
- Discrimination: Knowing with whom and at what moment to use each communicative signal.
Reinforcement and generalization of skills.
Finally, for functional communication training to have a real impact, it must be able to leave the clinic. Positive reinforcement is the fuel for this generalization process:
- Immediate reinforcement: Every time the child uses their new skill, they receive what they asked for instantly.
- Generalization at home: We train parents to respond in the same way as the therapists.
- Practice in natural environments: We take these skills to the supermarket, the park, and family gatherings.
What types of communication are used in FCT?
At Koala ABA & Learning Centers, we believe that every child has their own “communicative style.” Therefore, we explore Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems to find the one that best suits your child.
Here are some examples of how we do this through functional communication training:
Verbal Communication.
If the child has vocal potential, we work intensely on spoken language through:
- Modeling sounds and syllables.
- Expanding functional vocabulary for daily needs.
- Using short phrases to communicate complex desires.
Gestures, PECS, and AAC (Communication Systems).
For many, visual support is the “magic key” that opens the door to language, through:
- PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System): The child hands over a card with a picture to get what they want.
- Sign Language: Basic gestures that provide a quick motor response.
- High-tech devices: Tablets with speech-generating apps that allow for fluid and complex communication.
Support for non-verbal children.
Being non-verbal does not mean the child has nothing to say. That is why our approach for non-verbal children focuses on:
- Reducing frustration through the use of immediate visual supports.
- Strengthening communicative intent (the desire to connect with others).
- Providing technological tools that act as their “voice” while they develop that capacity.
What are the benefits of Functional Communication Training?
The results of a well-executed ABA communication intervention are measurable… and often surprising. We see not only clinical improvement but a transformation in the child’s quality of life.
Some key benefits of functional communication training include:
- Short-term results: An immediate decrease in the intensity of crises and greater calm at home.
- Long-term benefits: Development of social skills, better school performance, and greater autonomy in adult life.
- Family empowerment: Parents become great facilitators of their children’s growth.
Frequently Asked Questions about Functional Communication Training in ABA.
1. What is Functional Communication Training (FCT)?
FCT is an intervention within ABA Therapy that teaches children with autism to communicate effectively. Instead of focusing on challenging behaviors, FCT replaces them with more functional forms of communication.
2. Why is FCT important for my child?
Many challenging behaviors arise because the child does not know how to express their needs. FCT provides tools for your child to communicate, decreasing anxiety and fostering independence.
3. How does FCT help reduce challenging behaviors?
FCT teaches effective alternatives to problematic behavior, validating what the child is trying to communicate. Thus, they learn to ask for attention, objects, or breaks without getting frustrated or generating conflict.
How does Koala ABA apply Functional Communication Training?
At Koala ABA & Learning Centers, our approach to Functional Communication Training (FCT) not only improves communication but also strengthens your child’s emotional and social autonomy.
With a team of certified specialists in Florida, we design fully personalized programs that adapt to the pace and communicative style of each child with autism.
What sets us apart?
- Accessible locations in Florida: So you are always close to our services (Doral, Tampa, Panama City).
- Evidence-based methodology: We apply science-backed techniques for reliable results.
- Family-centered programs: We train you to reinforce communication skills at home and in daily life.
Taking the first step has never been so simple.
At Koala ABA, we transform silence into connection, gestures into words, and challenging behaviors into effective communication.
Schedule a personalized consultation today and discover how we can change the way your child connects with the world!
