A demonstration of incorporating discriminative stimuli into an AAC device during functional communication training

Abstract

Functional communication training (FCT) is an effective intervention for teaching communication responses and reducing challenging behavior. One limitation of FCT is that frequent reinforcement may be impractical or impossible in many situations. Recently, Mitteer et al. published a tutorial in the journal AAC that provided video models on how to implement an empirically supported strategy for thinning reinforcement during FCT, known as FCT with discriminative stimuli, when teaching with an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. However, no study has empirically evaluated the approach described in that tutorial. This paper details a case study using several single-case experimental designs to teach a non-vocal autistic adult who did not use speech to communicate requests only when reinforcement was signaled to be available by the color of the AAC icons. We demonstrated the efficacy of this approach with unique pairs of discriminative stimuli for tangible and edible items, thinning reinforcement for each stimulus class independently. We then rapidly transferred stimulus control to new icons and integrated both classes of stimuli into a single AAC grid. This first demonstration of embedding discriminative stimuli into an AAC device represents a promising advancement for individuals who do not use speech and may not readily respond to delay or denial cues.

Keywords:

• AAC
• discriminative stimuli
• functional communication training
• multiple schedules
• reinforcement schedule thinning

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in Zenodo at doi:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8264097.

Notes

1 The iPad is a product of Apple Computers Inc., Cupertino, CA, USA. www.apple.com

2 Proloquo2Go is a product of AssistiveWare B. V., Laurierstraat, Amsterdam, NL. www.assistiveware.com

3 Learn Through Music is a product of Mattel Inc., El Segundo, CA, USA. www.mattel.com

4 Cheetos are a product of PepsiCo Inc., Harrison, NY, USA. www.pepsico.com

5 Terra chips are a product of the Hain Celestial Group Inc., Boulder, CO, USA. www.hain.com

6 Cinnamon Schoolbook Cookies are a product of Trader Joe’s, Monrovia, CA, USA. www.traderjoes.com

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development under grants 2R01HD079113 and 5R01HD093734.