Previous studies have supported the use of trial-based functional analysis performed by teachers in classroom settings. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of training technicians to conduct trial-based functional analyses via telehealth. Telehealth-based training was effective for producing high-integrity implementation by technicians.…

For students with severe or complex challenging behavior, incorporating hypothesis testing as a component of functional behavior assessment (FBA) is often warranted. Several hypothesis testing strategies (i.e., functional analysis, antecedent analysis, concurrent operant analysis) can confirm whether and how features of a student's environment…

Conducting a functional analysis is the "gold standard" of behavior assessment with best practices recommending identification of idiosyncratic variables as essential to valid results. One potential variable that might impact assessment results is language of assessment. For individuals who operate in environments with multiple languages…

Training teachers to select and implement appropriate function-based interventions may reduce their reliance on behavior specialists and other support staff to help manage their students' problem behavior in the classroom. Most prior studies on this type of training evaluated outcomes by measuring teachers' verbal report rather than their…

In the present study, we sought to extend the current literature on utilizing behavioral skills training (BST) to teach practitioners how to implement functional analyses (FA). We used a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across ten participants to measure the effects of a remote BST package on accuracy of implementing FA procedures. The…

Trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) is an accurate and ecologically valid assessment of challenging behavior. Further, there is evidence to suggest that individuals with minimal exposure to behavior analytic assessment methodology (e.g., parents, teachers) can quickly be trained to conduct TBFAs in naturalistic settings (e.g., schools, homes).…

Individuals with disabilities may exhibit dangerous behavior such as physical aggression and self-injury. Determining the environmental variables maintaining dangerous behavior using a functional behavior assessment can inform treatment in teaching individuals with disabilities functionally equivalent replacement behavior. However, logistic…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of an intervention selection model on the outcomes of function-based interventions for escape-maintained problem behavior. The study included five children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and was conducted in a school setting. We conducted functional analyses to determine the function of…

This review compared the effectiveness of functional behavior assessment-based interventions (FBAI) versus non-functional behavior assessment-based interventions (NFBAI) through an examination of 24 single-case design (SCD) studies that directly compared the effects of these intervention approaches. This review also systematically examined the…

When results of descriptive functional behavior assessments (FBAs) are inconclusive, experimental analysis methods can be used to directly test hypotheses about when or why a student engages in challenging behavior. Despite growing research on practical variations of hypothesis testing in schools, these methods are rarely incorporated in FBAs in…

The trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) offers several advantages in natural settings, such as time efficiency and ecological validity. Previous studies have successfully trained or coached a variety of professionals and parents to conduct a TBFA utilizing in-person training procedures; however, no study has evaluated the effectiveness of…

School practitioners increasingly use functional behavior assessments to design behavior intervention plans when students engage in challenging behavior that is not improved by classroom management or standard interventions. Behavior intervention plans should aim to produce behavior change that maintains across time and generalizes to relevant…

We evaluated the effects of providing positive reinforcement for task completion, signaled via the presence of a tangible item, on escape-maintained problem behavior displayed by three typically developing children during one-time 90-min outpatient evaluations. Brief functional analyses of problem behavior, conducted within a multielement design,…

With the rising number of individuals diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities comes an increased need for effective assessment and treatment options. Previous research has indicated that applied behavior analytic techniques are among the most empirically supported and utilized treatments for this population; however, curriculum…

As one component of a functional behavioral assessment, descriptive assessments (DA) can help determine the maintaining variable of a student's problem behavior in school. School districts often employ board-certified behavior analysts as consultants to conduct DAs by observing a student and recording the environmental variables surrounding…