Abstract
Functional communication training (FCT) is highly effective in reducing challenging behavior and increasing appropriate communication in children with developmental disabilities. However, the challenging behavior may re-occur following successful treatment with functional communication training when the functional communication response contacts extinction. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate the variables that reduce resurgence of challenging behavior following successful treatment. For the current review, the systematic search yielded 14 articles from the current literature that evaluated resurgence following functional communication training. The effect of demand fading, the language of instruction, the presence of stimuli associated with the intervention, previous exposures to extinction, schedule of reinforcement during baseline, and reinforcing multiple mands were evaluated in the present literature review. Overall, relatively few applied studies with human participants have evaluated variables that affect resurgence. It is imperative that future research utilizes systematic manipulation to identify variables that reduce the resurgence of challenging behavior. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
*Indicates articles included in the present review
Baker, B. L., McIntyre, L. L., Blancher, J., Crnic, K., Edelbrock, C., & Low, C. (2003). Pre-school children with and without developmental delay: Behavior problems and parenting stress over time. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 47, 217–230. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2788.2003.00484.x.
*Berg, W. K., Ringdahl, J. E., Ryan, S. E., Ing A. D., Lustig, N., Romani, P., ... Durako, E. (2015). Resurgence of mands following functional communication training. Revista Mexicana de Analisis de la Conducta, 41, 166–186.
*Berg, W. K., Wacker, D. P., Harding, J. W., Ganzer, J., & Barretto, A. (2007). An evaluation of multiple dependent variables across distinct classes of antecedent stimuli pre and post functional communication training. Journal of Early and Intensive Behavior Intervention, 4, 305–333. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0100346.
Bouton, M. E., Winterbauer, N. E., & Todd, T. P. (2012). Relapse processes after the extinction of instrumental learning: Renewal, resurgence, and reacquisition. Behavioural Processes, 90, 130–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2012.03.004.
Bowman, L. G., Fisher, W. W., Thompson, R. H., & Piazza, C. C. (1997). On the relation of mands and the function of destructive behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 30, 251–265. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1997.30-251.
Carr, E. G., & Durand, V. M. (1985). Reducing behavior problems through functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18, 111–126. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111.
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2007). Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.
Durand, V. M., & Carr, E. G. (1991). Functional communication training to reduce challenging behavior: Maintenance and application in new settings. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24, 251–264. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1991.24-251.
Epstein, R. (1983). Resurgence of previously reinforced behavior during extinction. Behaviour Analysis Letters, 3, 391–397.
Epstein, R. (1985). Extinction-induced resurgence: Preliminary investigations and possible applications. The Psychological Record, 35, 143–153. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03394918.
Falcomata, T. S., & Wacker, D. P. (2013). On the use of strategies for programming generalization during functional communication training: A review of the literature. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 25, 5–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-012-9311-3.
Fisher, W. W., Kuhn, D. E., & Thompson, R. H. (1998). Establishing discriminative control of responding using functional and alternative reinforcers during functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31, 543–560. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1998.31-543.
Fisher, W. W., Thompson, R. H., Hagopian, L. P., Bowman, L. G., & Krug, A. (2000). Facilitating tolerance of delayed reinforcement during functional communication training. Behavior Modification, 24, 3–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445500241001.
Fisher, W. W., Greer, B. D., Fuhrman, A. M., Saini, V., & Simmons, C. A. (2018). Minimizing resurgence of destructive behavior using behavioral momentum theory. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51, 831–853. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.499.
*Fisher, W. W., Saini, V., Greer, B. D., Sullivan, W. E., Roane, H. S., Fuhrman, A. M., … Kimball, R. T. (2019). Baseline reinforcement rate and resurgence of destructive behavior. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 111, 75–93. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.488.
Fuhrman, A. M., Fisher, W. W., & Greer, B. D. (2016). A preliminary investigation on improving functional communication training by mitigating resurgence of destructive behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49, 884–899. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.338.
*Gratz, O. H., Wilson, A. N., & Glassford, T. (2018). Evaluating the resurgence of problem behavior with three functionally equivalent discriminated Operants. The Psychological Record, 69, 117–129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-018-0305-0.
Groskreutz, M. P., Groskreutz, N. C., & Higbee, T. S. (2011). Response competition and stimulus preference in the treatment of automatically reinforced behavior: A comparison. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 211–215. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2011.44-211.
Hagopian, L. P., Boelter, E. W., & Jarmolowicz, D. P. (2011). Reinforcement schedule thinning following functional communication training: Review and recommendations. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 4, 4–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03391770.
Hanley, G. P., Iwata, B. A., & Thompson, R. H. (2001). Reinforcement schedule thinning following treatment with functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34, 17–38. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2001.34-17.
*Harding, J. W., Wacker, D. P., Berg, W. K., Lee, J. F., & Dolezal, D. (2009). Conducting functional communication training in home settings: A case study and recommendations for practitioners.Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2, 21–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03391734.
*Hoffman, K., & Falcomata, T. S. (2014). An evaluation of resurgence of appropriate communication in individuals with autism who exhibit severe problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 651–656. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.144.
Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq. (2006 & Supp. V. 2011). http://idea.ed.gov/.
Kestner, K. M., & Peterson, S. M. (2017). A review of resurgence literature with human participants. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 17, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000039.
*Lambert, J. M., Bloom, S. E., Samaha, A. L., & Dayton, E. (2017). Serial functional communication training: Extending serial DRA to mands and problem behavior. Behavioral Interventions, 32, 311–325. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1493.
Leitenberg, H., Rawson, R. A., & Bath, K. (1970). Reinforcement of competing behavior during extinction. Science, 169, 301–303. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.169.3942.301.
Leitenberg, H., Rawson, R. A., & Mulick, J. A. (1975). Extinction and reinforcement of alternative behavior. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 88, 640–652. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0076418.
Mace, F. C., McComas, J. J., Mauro, B. C., Progar, P. R., Taylor, B., Ervin, R., & Zangrillo, A. N. (2010). Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior increases resistance to extinction: Clinical demonstration, animal modeling, and clinical test of one solution. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 93, 349–367. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2010.93-349.
*Marsteller, T. M., & St. Peter, C. C. (2012). Resurgence during treatment challenges. Revista Mexicana de Análisis de la Conducta, 38, 7–22.
*Marsteller, T. M., & St. Peter, C. C. (2014). Effects of fixed-time reinforcement schedules on resurgence of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 455–469. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.134.
Mulick, J. A., Leitenberg, H., & Rawson, R. A. (1976). Alternative response training, differential reinforcement of other behavior, and extinction in squirrel monkeys (saimiri sciureus). Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 25, 311–320. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1976.25-311.
Nevin, J. A. (1988). Behavioral momentum and the partial reinforcement effect. Psychological Bulletin, 103, 44–56. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.103.1.44.
Nevin, J. A., & Grace, R. C. (2000). Behavioral momentum: Empirical, theoretical, and metaphorical issues. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 23, 117–125. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0140525x00502404.
Nevin, J. A., Tota, M. E., Torquato, R. D., & Shull, R. L. (1990). Alternative reinforcement increases resistance to change: Pavlovian or operant contingencies? Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 53, 359–379. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1990.53-359.
*Padilla Dalmau, Y. C., Wacker, D. P., Harding, J. W., Berg, W. K., Schieltz, K. M., Lee, J. F., ... & Kramer, A. R. (2011). A preliminary evaluation of functional communication training effectiveness and language preference when Spanish and English are manipulated. Journal of Behavioral Education, 20, 233–251. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-011-9131-z.
Peter Pipkin, C. S., Vollmer, T. R., & Sloman, K. N. (2010). Effects of treatment integrity failures during differential reinforcement of alternative behavior: A translational model. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43, 47–70. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2010.43-47.
Petscher, E. S., Rey, C., & Bailey, J. S. (2009). A review of empirical support for differential reinforcement of alternative behavior. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 30, 409–425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2008.08.008.
Quick, S. L., Pyszczynski, A. D., Colston, K. A., & Shahan, T. A. (2011). Loss of alternative non-drug reinforcement induces relapse of cocaine-seeking in rats: Role of dopamine D 1 receptors. Neuropsychopharmacology, 36, 1015–1020. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2010.239.
Reed, P., & Clark, C. (2010). Impact of intervening learning on resurgence in humans with autism Spectrum disorders. Learning & Behavior, 39, 163–170. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13420-010-0014-2.
*Ringdahl, J. E., Berg, W. K., Wacker, D. P., Crook, K., Molony, M. A., Vargo, K. K., … Taylor, C. J. (2018). Effects of response preference on resistance to change. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 109, 265–280. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.308.
Rohatgi, A. (2017, October). WebPlotDigitizer. Retrieved from https://automeris.io/WebPlotDigitizer.
Shahan, T. A., & Sweeney, M. M. (2011). A model of resurgence based on behavioral momentum theory. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 95, 91–108. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2011.95-91.
Sweeney, M. M., & Shahan, T. A. (2013). Effects of high, low, and thinning rates of alternative reinforcement on response elimination and resurgence. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 100, 102–116. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.26.
Tiger, J. H., Hanley, G. P., & Bruzek, J. (2008). Functional communication training: A review and practical guide. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1, 16–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03391716.
Trosclair-Lasserre, N. M., Lerman, D. C., Call, N. A., Addison, L. R., & Kodak, T. (2008). Reinforcement magnitude: An evaluation of preference and reinforcer efficacy. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 41, 203–220. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2008.41-203.
U.S. Department of Education. (2001). Twenty-third annual report to congress on the implementation of the individuals with disabilities education act. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/osep/2001/toc-execsum.pdf.
*Volkert, V. M., Lerman, D. C., Call, N. A., & Trosclair-Lasserre, N. (2009). An evaluation of resurgence during treatment with functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 145–160. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2009.42-145.
Wacker, D. P., Steege, M. W., Northup, J., Sasso, G., Berg, W., Reimers, T., et al. (1990). A component analysis of functional communication training across three topographies of severe behavior problems. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 23, 417–429. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1990.23-417.
Wacker, D. P., Berg, W. K., Harding, J. W., Derby, M. K., Asmus, J. M., & Healy, A. (1998). Evaluation and long-term treatment of aberrant behavior displayed by young children with disabilities. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 19, 260–266. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004703-199808000-00004.
*Wacker, D. P., Harding, J. W., Berg, W. K., Lee, J. F., Schieltz, K. M., Padilla, Y. C., ... & Shahan, T. A. (2011). An evaluation of persistence of treatment effects during long-term treatment of destructive behavior. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 96, 261–282. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2011.96-261.
*Wacker, D. P., Harding, J. W., Morgan, T. A., Berg, W. K., Schieltz, K. M., Lee, J. F., & Padilla, Y. C. (2013). An evaluation of resurgence during functional communication training. The Psychological Record, 63, 3–20. https://doi.org/10.11133/j.tpr.2013.63.1.001.
Wong, C., Odom, S. L., Hume, K. A., Cox, A. W., Fettig, A., Kucharczyk, S., et al. (2015). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder: A comprehensive review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 1951–1966. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2351-z.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethical Approval
This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.
Informed Consent
This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Radhakrishnan, S., Gerow, S. & Weston, R. Resurgence of Challenging Behavior Following Functional Communication Training for Children with Disabilities: a Literature Review. J Dev Phys Disabil 32, 213–239 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-019-09685-1
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-019-09685-1