Functional Communication Training

Functional Communication Training, or FCT, is an ABA approach that teaches a child a functional way to communicate a need — replacing a challenging behavior that was serving the same purpose. The core idea is simple but powerful: if a behavior like screaming or hitting is how a child says "I want a break" or "help me," we teach them a clearer, more effective way to say it.

It begins with understanding. A BCBA first identifies what a behavior is communicating — its function — usually through a Functional Behavior Assessment. Then they choose a replacement communication response that's easier and works at least as well for your child. That might be a word or phrase, a sign, a picture exchange, or a button on a device, depending on what suits your child best.

A Registered Behavior Technician teaches and reinforces the new communication response consistently, so your child learns it reliably gets them what they need. As the helpful new way of communicating takes hold, the challenging behavior typically fades — because your child finally has a better tool that actually works.

Everything starts with figuring out what your child is trying to communicate. Your BCBA observes and assesses the behavior to pinpoint its function — for example, escaping a hard task, asking for attention, or requesting a favorite item.

Next, your BCBA selects a replacement communication response that fits your child — a spoken word, a sign, a picture card, or a device button — and makes sure it's easy enough that your child can succeed quickly. Your RBT then teaches it in everyday moments, prompting and heavily reinforcing the new response so your child learns it works every time.

Over time, as the new communication becomes reliable, the old challenging behavior has less reason to occur. Because this happens in your home, your child practices in real situations, and you're coached to honor and reinforce the new communication too — so it sticks across your whole day.