Assessment and treatment of multiply maintained self injury for a visually impaired elementary student with autism

Assessment of challenging behavior via functional analysis (FA) and subsequent treatment including functional communication training (FCT) is a common approach to treating severe problem behavior for individuals with autism and intellectual disability. Assessment and treatment for these behaviors exhibited by individuals who have a co-occurring diagnosis of visual impairment and autism spectrum disorder present unique challenges to this approach. The current study included an 8-year-old White, visually impaired male on the autism spectrum who engaged in self injurious behavior (SIB). Based on the results of the FA, conducted in his classroom, the researchers began FCT to address the multiple maintaining functions of SIB. Results suggest that adaptations to FCT may be necessary for visually impaired individuals on the autism spectrum to make the communication response more salient to the individual and establish independent communication responses.