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Functional Analysis and Functional Communication Training in the Classroom for Three Children with Angelman Syndrome

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Abstract

Effectiveness of functional analysis (FA) and functional communication training (FCT) on challenging behavior was assessed in three children with Angelman syndrome (AS). Analogue FA conditions were used to assess the behavioral function of the challenging behavior. FA and FCT protocols were administered in the children’s classroom and were performed by their teachers. Replacement behavior was prompted upon the onset of precursor behavior. One or more function(s) of their challenging behavior were identified and challenging behavior appeared to be escape or tangibly motivated. Making physical contact with the teacher was found to be a precursor of challenging behavior in one child. In all children, challenging behavior decreased as a function of FCT. Functional equivalence of both challenging and replacement behavior was evinced. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Gratitude goes out to all the children, parents and teachers who enabled us to perform this research in the natural environments of the children. The authors would like to thank the Angelman Foundation for funding this research.

Declaration of Interest

This research was funded by a grant from the Angelman Foundation. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Maartje Radstaake, Robert Didden & Nicole Appels

  2. Trajectum, Zwolle, The Netherlands

    Robert Didden

  3. Clinic for Autism Research Evaluation and Support, Texas State University of San Marcos, San Marcos, TX, USA

    Russell Lang

  4. Department of Special Education, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA

    Mark O’Reilly

  5. School of Educational Psychology and Pedagogy, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    Jeff Sigafoos

  6. Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy

    Giulio E. Lancioni

  7. Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Leopold M. G. Curfs

Authors
  1. Maartje Radstaake
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  2. Robert Didden
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  3. Russell Lang
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  4. Mark O’Reilly
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  5. Jeff Sigafoos
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  6. Giulio E. Lancioni
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  7. Nicole Appels
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  8. Leopold M. G. Curfs
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Correspondence to Maartje Radstaake.

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Radstaake, M., Didden, R., Lang, R. et al. Functional Analysis and Functional Communication Training in the Classroom for Three Children with Angelman Syndrome. J Dev Phys Disabil 25, 49–63 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-012-9302-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-012-9302-4

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