Enhancing Teacher Training Through Behavioral Skills Training (BST): Effective Implementation of Functional Communication Training (FCT) for Students
Date of Submission
2026
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Department
Psychology
Department Chair
Jessica Glass Kendorski Ph.D., NCSP, BCBA-D
First Advisor
Richard Allen, PsyD
Second Advisor
Barry McCurdy, PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D
Third Advisor
Jessica Day, PhD
Abstract
The current outcome study utilized an A-B design across three participants to evaluate the effects of an evidence-based training model, behavioral skills training (BST), to implement a research-based intervention functional communication training (FCT). BST was associated with marginal results of increasing skills in the participants' accurate implementation of FCT for at least two of the three participants. The third participant’s results displayed an increasing trend throughout baseline, thus it is unknown if they would have achieved mastery prior to the implementation of the intervention phase. Initial study design procedures were adversely impacted due to issues related to teacher availability, thus limiting the interpretation of the training outcomes. Post-training results indicated that all participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the training model delivered. Implication of findings, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Pierce, Janelle, "Enhancing Teacher Training Through Behavioral Skills Training (BST): Effective Implementation of Functional Communication Training (FCT) for Students" (2026). PCOM Psychology Dissertations. 717.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/psychology_dissertations/717