Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Practice Exam

Functional communication training (FCT) specifically targets behaviors that are characterized as negative or maladaptive, particularly those that result from frustration. The goal of FCT is to teach individuals more effective and appropriate ways to communicate their needs, especially when they may be resorting to undesirable behaviors, such as aggression, tantrums, or withdrawal, when they become frustrated or unable to express themselves. By replacing these challenging behaviors with functional communication skills, individuals can express their needs and desires in a more socially acceptable manner, thereby reducing the occurrence of negative behaviors and improving overall communication.

This training helps in addressing the underlying communicative intents behind those behaviors, providing the individual with tools to gain attention, ask for help, or express discomfort without resorting to frustration-driven actions. In short, FCT is an effective intervention for decreasing problematic behaviors caused by frustration by enhancing communication skills.