Association for Behavior Analysis International

Functional analysis (FA; Iwata, Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman, & Richman, 1982/1994) advanced the field of applied behavior analysis by offering a technology for identifying behavioral function, allowing for the development of individualized and effective interventions. The generality of FA has been demonstrated in hundreds of replications across various clinical populations, forms of problem behavior, and settings. In the current symposium, three papers will be presented that offer refinements or novel applications of FA methodology. The presenter of the first paper will describe a modified FA to address a problematic form of vocal behavior, immediate echolalia, exhibited by individuals with autism. The presenter of the second paper will describe refinements of a trial-based FA conducted with multiples (i.e., twins). The presenter of the third paper will describe use of a telemedicine model to conduct a trial-based FA of problem behavior exhibited by individuals with a rare condition (SYGNAP1-related intellectual disability).

Individuals who have familiarity with functional analysis and wish to learn more about procedural refinements and novel applications of this approach.

Research on the assessment of problem behavior in multiples (i.e., twins, triplets, etc.) has been limited. The primary aim of this study was to report trial-based functional analysis outcomes for two sets of multiples with autism spectrum disorder who are participating in an ongoing, longitudinal study that our research group is conducting. Within each pair of multiples, we found considerable similarity in terms of behavioral sensitivity to specific stimuli. A secondary aim of this study was to present a novel method for graphing and analyzing trial-based functional analysis outcomes. Rather than graphing occurrence/nonoccurrence data in bar graphs as is traditional in trial-based functional analyses, we measured participants’ latency to respond during trials and graphed those data in line graphs. This method revealed across- and within-trial patterns of responding that were useful in our analysis. The current study extends previous research on the assessment of problem behavior in multiples and extends trial-based functional analysis research by presenting an alternative method for graphing and analyzing results.

Functional behavioral phenotyping (FBP) involves the cataloguing the behaviors and determining the reasons why these behaviors occur in specific genetic disorders and psychological conditions. This manner of phenotyping offers great promise in the area of intellectual and developmental disabilities, as understanding a FBP may lead to the discovery of generalized response patterns (ways of responding that are characteristic) present in a population. The development of a FBP for a population would have immediate practical significance in clinical assessment and treatment. However, when a disorder or condition is rare, it may be very difficult to develop a FBP for that population. The current study offers a potential solution to this barrier, by using a telemedicine model to assess the problem behavior of individuals with SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability (a rare condition). Further, the current study offers a proof-of-concept demonstration for how the data required for a FBP may be gathered in a time- and resource-sensitive manner by conducting caregiver-implemented, trial-based functional analyses with three individuals diagnosed with SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability. Implications of this demonstration will be discussed.