An individualized method for establishing and thinning multiple schedules of reinforcement following functional communication training

Using multiple schedules of reinforcement following functional communication training (FCT) can produce discriminated mands while maintaining low rates of problem behavior (Fisher et al., 1998; Hanley et al., 2001). A review of this literature (Saini et al., 2016) noted the absence of a method for systematically determining the duration of reinforcement (SD) and extinction (SΔ) components in such multiple-schedule arrangements. The same review also suggested that introducing a momentary differential-reinforcement contingency could aid in producing discriminated mands by eliminating the possibility of adventitious reinforcement. The current investigation attempted to evaluate these two recommendations by altering the durations of SD and SΔ components of a multiple schedule based on participants' response patterns during treatment. Specifically, we (a) yoked the duration of the initial SΔ component to the rate of mands during FCT and (b) introduced a delay to the SD following instances of problem behavior. All five participants exhibited discriminated mands. In addition, mands maintained for all five participants, and problem behavior remained low for four participants when the schedule of reinforcement was systematically thinned.