Using Functional Communication Training with Extinction to Reduce Attention-maintained Problem Behavior: A Novel Application to a Spanish-Speaking Family with English-Speaking Therapists

Abstract

Functional communication training (FCT) is a well-established treatment for problem behavior that involves arranging extinction for undesirable responses and providing reinforcement for an appropriate communicative response. However, language barriers between the therapist and the client’s caregivers may inhibit the efficacy of this intervention and solutions to these language barriers have not been discussed in the research literature. The current study replicated functional analysis and FCT procedures with a child with autism and Down syndrome presenting with severe aggressive behavior whose parents were native Spanish speakers with limited English proficiency. We detail our process and procedural modifications made to address these challenges and discuss our results in the context of developing cultural competency for behavior analysts.