Association for Behavior Analysis International

The use of functional analyses has been well researched in the literature to demonstrate its effectiveness to identify functions of challenging behaviors. Many variations to the traditional functional analysis have evolved to further assist clinicians while minimizing various limitations to the traditional methods. One variation is the trial-based functional analysis that has demonstrated effectiveness in the classroom setting. This symposium will review the literature on the generalization of treatments based on findings from various functional analysis methods as well as on the generalization of the trial-based functional analysis to novel settings.

Basic understanding and implementation of functional analyses in practice is required.

For effective treatment implementation to reduce the occurrence of problem behavior and increase the occurrence of adaptive behavior, one must identify the maintaining contingencies of the behavior of concern. Many studies have identified the use of narrative antecedent behavior consequence (ABC) data collection, but few have examined its ability to effectively identify the function of the problem behavior. Research has supported the use of the trial-based functional analysis (TBFA), as the results correlate with the traditional experimental functional analyses, but few studies examine its effectiveness in the home setting. The current study evaluated the effectiveness of narrative ABC data compared to a TBFA in the home setting, as it impacts the outcomes of function-based treatment. Control of the problem behavior through the use of functional communication training was demonstrated across participants and within participants across assessments. Results suggest the TBFA identified the primary function of the behavior as demonstrated by independent responding to a functionally equivalent response.