Home >> iCAREcommunity >> Intervention >> Behavioural Intervention >> Replacement Behaviours

Replacement Behaviours

Behavioural Interventions are highly useful for disability groups and probably one of the less well-propagated interventions in the field of psychology locally. They involve the processes of systematically assessing the functions of various behaviours and using a variety of strategies based on behavioural principles to produce specific improvements in behaviour. They are useful in different types of therapeutic interventions, and especially useful for working with individuals who are unable to express themselves in words.

The third competency unit that will help you succeed in doing behavioural interventions is Replacement Behaviours.

A replacement behaviour is an appropriate behaviour that is maintained by the same consequences as the challenging behavior. By serving the same function of the challenging behavior, the replacement behaviour can be used to get the same need met in a more appropriate way. One such approach to develop replacement behaviour is Functional Communication Training (FCT). FCT teaches a form of communication for replacing challenging behaviors (e.g., verbalising “Stop” instead of hitting). Psychologists are expected to:

  • Define problem behaviour and identify factors to consider for selection of appropriate replacement behaviours for substitution

  • Create action plans to include selected objectives, strategies and materials for FCT

  • Implement FCT strategies that address the function of problem behaviours

  • Identify obstacles to implementation and monitor progress of the effectiveness of application of FCT

Here are some ideas and resources to spark your learning and thinking: 

Functional communication training

  1. Durand, V. M., & Moskowitz, L. (2015) – Functional Communication Training: Thirty Years of Treating Challenging Behavior

    This article describes the basic steps of FCT and how it can be applied to reduce challenging behaviours in toddlers and preschoolers.

  2. Cooper, Heron, & Heward (2007) – Chapter 23 on Antecedent Interventions

    Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., &  Heward, W. L. (2007) Applied behavior analysis /Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Pearson/Merrill-Prentice Hall. See more here.

    This chapter gives detailed information about functional communication training. It is a highly recommended read if you want to know this topic well. This is the overview of the chapter.    

What Are Replacement Behaviors and What Do We Need To Know to Be Effective?

This article explains what other characteristics, besides serving the same function, that we need to think about when choosing a replacement behavior, and when you might not have a replacement skill in a behavior support plan.

Step-by-step guidelines on developing a FCT plan

This article provides a structure and basic guidelines on designing replacement behaviours.

Using FCT for self-injurious behaviours

This article discusses the use of FCT with self-injurious behaviours and provides some examples of behaviour functions and corresponding communicative response.

Online modules

  1. AFIRM module: Functional communication training

    This module from AFIRM guides the learner through four lessons to learn basic knowledge about functional communication training (FCT) and apply FCT in activity based scenarios that promote real-world application. You need to sign up an free account in order to access to the module.

  2. Autism Internet Modules - Functional Communication Training (FCT)

    This website provides a background and guidelines on designing classroom management strategies for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in functional communication training. You need to create an account in order to access to the module.

Or explore other competency units that will help you succeed in doing behavioural interventions: