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A comparison of brief and extended session duration functional analyses.
Lee S Griffith1, Eileen M Roscoe1, R Benjamin Cornaglia1
1New England Center for Children and Department of Behavior Analysis at Western New England University.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|March 18, 2021
Summary
A brief functional analysis (FA) using 5-minute sessions effectively identifies problem behavior functions in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This abbreviated FA, followed by differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA), proves efficient for clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Behavior Analysis
- Clinical Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Functional analysis (FA) is crucial for effective behavior treatment but often perceived as too time-consuming in clinical settings.
- Many behavior analysts forgo FA due to time constraints, potentially impacting treatment efficacy.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents unique challenges in behavioral assessment and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of an abbreviated functional analysis (FA) with shorter session durations (5 minutes) compared to standard durations (10 minutes).
- To determine if abbreviated FAs can efficiently identify the function of problem behavior in individuals with ASD.
- To assess the effectiveness of a brief differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) analysis following abbreviated FA.
Main Methods:
- Conducted two independent FAs for 5 individuals with ASD: one with 5-minute sessions and one with 10-minute sessions.
- Identified the function of problem behavior for each participant using both FA durations.
- Implemented a brief DRA analysis based on the identified function to decrease problem behavior and increase communication.
Main Results:
- Both 5-minute and 10-minute session duration FAs consistently identified 'escape from demands' as the function of problem behavior across all participants.
- The brief DRA analysis was effective in reducing problem behavior and increasing appropriate communication for all participants.
- Abbreviated FAs with shorter sessions yielded the same functional assessment outcomes as standard-duration FAs.
Conclusions:
- An abbreviated FA with 5-minute sessions is a time-efficient and effective method for identifying the function of problem behavior in individuals with ASD.
- This approach addresses the perceived time constraints associated with traditional FAs, making them more feasible for clinical settings.
- Combining abbreviated FA with brief DRA analysis offers a practical and effective intervention strategy for problem behavior in ASD populations.
