MRainwater Purpose and Question This study is a meta-analytic review with a quantitative design. “The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate existing research on the effectiveness of thinning schedules of reinforcement following Functional Communication Training (FCT) for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities” (Muharib, Alrasheed, Ninci, Walker, & Voggt, 2019). This meta-analysis seeks to determine the extent to which thinning schedules following FCT contribute to reducing problem behavior and promoting communication skills among children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By gathering the findings from multiple studies, the researchers aim to provide comprehensive assessment of the intervention’s effectiveness. This study also aims to identify effective strategies for implementing thinning schedules within the context of FCT, and to explore the maintenance and generalization of intervention effects over time and across settings. The study also aims to inform evidence-based practice in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities and to advance understanding of the effectiveness of thinning schedules following FCT for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to provide actionable insights for improving intervention practices. The Research question is “What is the effectiveness of thinning schedules of reinforcement following Functional Communication Training (FCT) for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in reducing problem behavior and promoting communication skills (Muharib, Alrasheed, Ninci, Walker, & Voggt, 2019)?" Methodology The methodology of this meta-analytic review followed a structured process to systematically identify, select, and analyze relevant studies. The researchers began by MRainwater formulating a clear research question to guide their meta-analysis. Then an organized literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies, searching electronic databases using specific search terms related to FCT, thinning schedules, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and other such concepts. There would have been criteria established to ensure that only relevant studies were included in the meta-analysis. Screening and selection processes would follow and then relevant data to the research question and outcomes of interest would have been identified to be included in the studies. After thorough analysis, the results were interpreted and published. Variables The independent variable is the implementation of “thinning schedules of reinforcement following Functional Communication Training (FCT) for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities” (Muharib, Alrasheed, Ninci, Walker, & Voggt, 2019). Thinning schedules refer to steadily reducing the rate or magnitude of reinforcement provided contingent upon the demonstration of target behaviors. The dependent variables in this study include measures related to the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing problem behavior and promoting communication skills among intellectually and developmentally disabled children. Results I was unable to identify specific results of the meta-analysis, but I will identify general types of results typically reported in a meta-analysis of this type. Meta-analysis often calculates effect sizes to quantify the magnitude of the intervention’s impact, provide an overall assessment of the effectiveness of thinning schedules following FCT in achieving the desired outcomes, conduct subgroup analysis, perform sensitivity analysis, evaluate the presence of publication bias, draw conclusions and discuss implications. Conclusion MRainwater “After reviewing and meta-analyzing 28 intervention studies that involved a thinning schedule procedure following FCT for children with IDD ages 8 and younger, the findings of the study suggest that thinning procedures were most effective in children with stronger communication skills. The findings seem promising and provide preliminary guidance for practitioner implementations of thing schedules following FCT” (Muharib, Alrasheed, Ninci, Walker, & Voggt, 2019). Reference Muharib, R., Alrasheed, F., Ninci, J., Walker, V. L., & Voggt, A. P. (2019, August 27). Thinning schedules of reinforcement following functional communication training for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities: a meta-analytic review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49, 4788-4806.
