Autism Spectrum Disorders Functional Communication Training - Research Foundations

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These training materials were created for the Autism Center of Excellence at Western Michigan University. This course is the first of two similar courses that discuss Functional Communication Training. This course focuses on the foundations 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 Functional Communications Training

This course has been designed to provide behavioral health professionals with additional methodologies and tactics for assessing clients in terms of creating positive behavioral change. This course provides an overview of Functional Communications Training (FCT) and the research behind the methodology. 

Functional Analysis

This course provides a definition and overview of functional analysis as a tool for identifying what external factors are factoring in creating problem behavior 

Additional Assessments

Although this course expert presents functional analysis and functional communications training as highly effective assessment tools, Dr. Fisher also provides information regarding other assessment tools that are highly effective. 

Unique Features of Functional Communications Training

This course also provides information that helps the participants see the different salient values of Functional Communications training over other assessment tools. 

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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Very informative in an easy-to-understand matter. A lot of resources were given, which is beneficial to someone who is just learning the material."
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