Functional Communication Training

Chapter 10 focused on the distinct functional properties of verbal behavior, such as mand control (i.e., requesting). Mand training is a technique for strengthening a child’s ability to request access to specific reinforcers, like toys, snacks, activities, and interactions with other people. Research has shown that verbal behavior may need to be explicitly reinforced as a request for it to be useful as such. Mand training may lead to an increase in spontaneous language, an increase in social initiations, and a reduction of problem behavior. However, sometimes challenging behavior interferes with skill acquisition. When challenging behavior occurs at high rates or presents a potential for harm, mand training may be combined with extinction through a chaining procedure known as functional communication training.