REDUCING TACTILE-INDUCED CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS THROUGH FUNCTIONAL COMMUNICATION TRAINING IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: EVIDENCE FROM A WITHDRAWAL DESIGN

Abstract

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often display self-injurious behaviors (SIB) and self-stimulatory behaviors (SSB), particularly when exposed to sensory hypersensitivities such as tactile overstimulation. This single-case experimental study examined the effects of Functional Communication Training (FCT) on reducing tactile-induced SIB and SSB in a 4.6-year-old girl with ASD and mild intellectual disability using an ABAB withdrawal design. Results demonstrated that SIB decreased by approximately 10–30% and SSB by 15–35% from baseline to reintroduction phases, while functional communication responses (FCR) increased from near zero at baseline to over 50%. Statistical analyses (Tau-U and NAP) confirmed strong intervention effects and an inverse correlation between FCR and both SIB (ρ = –.61, p < .05) and SSB (ρ = –.57, p < .05). High treatment fidelity (92.5%) and social validity ratings (M = 4.6–4.7) indicated the feasibility and acceptability of FCT. Findings suggest that FCT is an effective, reinforcement-based approach for reducing maladaptive tactile-related behaviors and enhancing functional communication in children with ASD, supporting its use in home and educational contexts to improve adaptive functioning and quality of life.