Autism Spectrum Disorders Functional Communication Training - Clinical Applications
These training materials were created for the Autism Center of Excellence at Western Michigan University. This course is the second of two similar courses that discuss Functional Communication Training. This course focuses on the clinical applications of this methodology in research as presented by Dr. Wayne Fisher. Dr. Fisher presents his methodology and provides specific approaches for implementing his methodology in behavioral health practice.
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Understanding the Clinical Approaches to Functional Communications Training
The first section of this course reiterates what was covered in the Functional Communications Training- Research Functions course. This course will provide a definition of FCT and provides information regarding why FCT has been chosen for so many behavioral professionals.
Reinforcement Components
Once communication training has begun, Dr. Fisher explains the need for multiple reinforcement components to ensure that the training is successful and behavior is learned.
Unique Features of FCT
Like the FCT-Research Functions course, this course provides unique differentiators for FCT and continues to identify the potential limits of the methodology. This course should be taken in conjunction with the other Functional Assessment and Functional Communications courses.
Dr. Wayne Fisher, BCBA-D
Dr. Wayne Fisher, BCBA-D, is the H.B. Munroe Professor of Behavioral Research in the Munroe-Meyer Institute and the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is also the director of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at the Munroe-Meyer Institute, a board-certified behavior analyst at the doctoral level and a licensed psychologist. He was previously a professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and served as executive director of the Neurobehavioral Programs at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Marcus Behavior Center at the Marcus Institute, where he built clinical-research programs in autism and developmental disabilities with national reputations for excellence.
Fisher’s methodologically sophisticated research has focused on several intersecting lines, including preference, choice, and the assessment and treatment of autism and severe behavior disorders. It has been notable for the creative use of concurrent schedules of reinforcement, which have become more commonplace in clinical research primarily as a result of his influence. He has published more than 140 peer-reviewed research studies in 28 different behavioral and medical journals, including: the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychological Reports, American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Pediatrics, the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, and The Lancet. Fisher is a past editor of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, a past president of the Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, a fellow in the Association for Behavior Analysis, and recipient of the Bush Leadership Award, the APA (Division 25) Award for Outstanding Contributions to Applied Behavioral Research, and the UNMC Distinguished Scientist Award.
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