The Impact of Extinction for Alternative Responding on Vocal Behavior

Functional communication training (FCT) has emerged as the most often researched intervention to reduce challenging behavior exhibited by individuals with developmental disabilities. In recent years, there has been a shift toward evaluating FCT under conditions that approximate treatment challenges. In our research, we have noted that, during such challenges, variable responding sometimes emerges and this variability can include vocalizations. In the current study, we reported examples of this finding, as vocal behavior was not a dependent variable targeted by the larger study. The changes in vocal responding exhibited by three individuals receiving FCT that incorporated alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) strategies are discussed in the context of extinction-induced variability and the potential utility of AAC-based FCT interventions to bring about vocal responding.