Functional Communication Training in New Hampshire
Help your nonverbal or minimally verbal child communicate effectively through evidence-based ABA strategies including FCT, AAC, and multimodal communication approaches.
When Behavior Is Communication
Replacing challenging behavior with a better way to ask
When a child hits to escape a task, screams to get a snack, or melts down when a routine changes, that behavior is communication—it's just not the kind anyone wants to reinforce. Functional Communication Training (FCT) starts by identifying exactly what a behavior is accomplishing for your child, then teaches a faster, easier way to get that same need met appropriately.
Our BCBA-supervised FCT programs in Concord, Manchester, and Nashua begin with a functional behavior assessment to pinpoint why a specific behavior is happening—escape, attention, access to an item, or a sensory need. From there, we teach a matched replacement (a sign, a picture card, a device, or a word) and systematically fade out the old behavior as the new one takes over.
Key Benefits
How this program supports your child's growth
Fewer tantrums caused by communication breakdown
Replacement of hitting, biting, or self-injury with an appropriate request
Reduced escape and avoidance behavior during demands or transitions
Smoother transitions between activities with fewer meltdowns
Less reliance on problem behavior to get attention or access to items
A functional replacement skill that generalizes across home, school, and community
Reduced caregiver stress from decoding behavior guesswork
A foundation for broader language growth once behavior stabilizes
Our Approach
Replacing Escape-Motivated Behavior
When a behavior is used to get out of a task or demand, we teach a sign, phrase, or card that requests a break—so your child has an appropriate way to say "I need a minute" instead.
Replacing Attention-Seeking Behavior
When a behavior is used to get a caregiver's attention, we teach a direct way to request it—a tap, a word, or a picture card—so attention no longer has to be earned through disruption.
Replacing Access-Motivated Behavior
When a behavior is used to get a toy, food, or activity, we teach a clear request using whatever modality is fastest for your child—sign, PECS, or a speech-generating device.
Generalizing the Replacement
A new skill that only works in one room with one person isn't functional yet. We train the replacement across home, clinic, and community so it holds up everywhere your child needs it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Functional Communication Training (FCT)?
Functional Communication Training is an evidence-based ABA intervention that teaches children alternative, appropriate ways to communicate their needs instead of using challenging behaviors. FCT replaces behaviors like tantrums or aggression with functional communication skills such as requesting, rejecting, or asking for help.
My child is aggressive or self-injurious—can FCT help reduce this?
Yes—this is one of the most common reasons families start FCT. Aggression and self-injury are often the only way a child has to communicate an unmet need. Once we identify what the behavior is accomplishing and teach a faster, equally effective replacement, most families see these behaviors decrease as the new communication skill takes over. We work closely with you to keep everyone safe while that transition happens.
How do you figure out why my child's behavior is happening?
Before teaching anything, we conduct a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)—observing your child across situations to identify the pattern behind the behavior: is it to escape a task, get attention, access an item, or meet a sensory need? That answer determines which replacement skill we teach and in which modality, so the new skill actually works as well as, or better than, the behavior it's replacing.
How long does it take to see communication improvements?
Many children begin using new communication skills within weeks of starting FCT, especially for requesting preferred items. More complex communication and spontaneous language use develop gradually over months. Progress varies based on each child's starting skills, the intensity of intervention, and consistency across settings.
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Learn MoreReady to Get Started?
Our experienced team serving Concord, Manchester, Nashua, and Derry is ready to help your child thrive. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about our personalized programs.