Field Testing the Family Behavior Support Mobile Application (FBSApp) During a Global Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Behavioral Intervention
• Assistive Technology

Background:

• Families of young children with disabilities and challenging behaviors require effective home-based support.
• Evidence-based intervention strategies are crucial for managing challenging behaviors.
• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated adaptive research methods, including virtual support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test an evidence-based mobile application (FBSApp) supporting functional assessment-based intervention strategies for families.
• To examine the effects of the FBSApp, with and without individualized coaching, on parental strategy use and child behaviors.
• To assess the feasibility of conducting family-centered research using mobile and virtual platforms during disruptive events.

Main Methods:

• A multiple-probe across participants single-case design was employed.
• Five families with young children with disabilities participated.
• Intervention involved a mobile application supplemented with individualized coaching, adapted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Results:

• No functional relation was found between FBSApp access alone and increased caregiver strategy use.
• The addition of individualized coaching led to increased strategy use in two of four caregivers.
• A functional relation was identified between FBSApp use plus coaching and reduced challenging behaviors (CB).

Conclusions:

• Mobile applications and virtual coaching can provide accessible and efficient support for families.
• Responsive, family-centered research is feasible even amidst significant global events.
• Further research is needed to optimize virtual support systems for families of children with disabilities.