#260: Functional Communication Training—Getting Started with Dr. Bethjoy Houck

Functional Communication Training can change everything when behavior is really communication and we take the time to listen.

In this reprise episode, I’m revisiting one of our most popular conversations of the year, all about Functional Communication Training and how to get started in a way that is practical, ethical, and truly supportive for students. I hear so many questions about what to do when students are struggling to express their needs and emotions and how to move beyond problem behavior into meaningful communication. This conversation with Dr. Bethjoy Houck gives you a clear, research-based way forward.

We walk through what Functional Communication Training actually is, why it is different from simple mand training, and why identifying the true function of behavior through assessment is essential before jumping into intervention. We also break down how to thoughtfully select functional communication responses so they are easy to prompt, meaningful to the learner, and sustainable across environments. Whether you are a speech-language pathologist, BCBA, RBT, or parent, this episode is filled with real-world examples that bring the research to life and help you apply FCT with confidence and compassion.

#autism #speechtherapy

What’s Inside:

• What Functional Communication Training really is, and why it goes beyond basic mand training
• Why identifying the function of behavior is essential before implementing FCT
• How to select communication responses that are easy to prompt, ethical, and effective
• Practical examples of using AAC, visuals, and object exchange to support meaningful communication

Mentioned In This Episode:

A Practitioner’s Guide for Selecting Functional Communication Responses
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