Students commonly engage in problem behaviors, yet teachers report handling difficult behavior as their biggest challenge. Some research over the last few decades has used functional analyses (FAs) to determine the function of student’s problem behavior and then developed functional-based interventions based on the FA findings. Despite the success of the studies, research has indicated traditional FA methodologies are not always feasible for teachers and/or schools. Therefore, a need still exists to develop better and more efficient ways to train teachers how to conduct FAs in the classroom. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using virtual video models to train future teachers how to conduct trial based functional analyses (TBFAs). Additionally, the current study sought to assess if the participants could generalize their skills learned virtually to an in person setting. Three future teachers enrolled in education courses at a southeastern university participated in the study and watched video models of each of the TBFA conditions (attention, demand, tangible, and ignore). After watching the videos, participants were then asked to conduct each trial virtually, and then complete each trial the following day in person. A multiple baseline design across participants was used, and results indicated the videos were effective at teaching the participants to conduct a TBFA. Specifically, all three future teachers successfully conducted every trial of a TBFA with high procedural integrity virtually. The virtual training then generalized well into an in person setting, with only one participant needing additional feedback. Additionally, results indicate the virtual intervention was socially valid for all participants. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.

The trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) has recently emerged for practitioners as a method to determine the function(s) of challenging behavior in natural contexts such as the classroom or residential settings. Comparisons between TBFA and other functional analyses (FA) results have shown high correspondence when identifying the function(s) of challenging behavior. Currently, the TBFA has mainly been conducted in classroom settings with teachers or paraprofessionals. Although important in educational contexts, it is unknown if the TBFA would identify the same function(s) of challenging behavior across different settings, thus possibly limiting its utility. The purpose of the current study was to compare the results of a parent-conducted TBFA in the child’s home and at a university-based autism clinic. TBFA results found minimal differences regardless of the setting, suggesting that the TBFA procedures can be conducted in clinics or at home while producing similar findings. Social validity results for two of the three families were identical across settings, suggesting they had no preference for where to conduct the TBFA or any of the conditions. However, one caregiver preferred the escape and tangible conditions over the attention condition. The same caregiver also preferred the home TBFA over the clinic TBFA. High procedural integrity was reported on the author’s ability to facilitate the TBFA procedures with the families. Taken together, these data will help to guide and inform future treatment recommendations for families.

Problem behavior can interfere with teaching and learning. Developing interventions for problem behavior may be more efficient when the function of problem behavior is known. A variety of functional analysis (FA) methods have been developed to provide information on the variables maintaining problem behavior. Unfortunately most of the current adaptations of the FA are not always feasible for classroom teachers, or suited to a typical school day. The trial-based FA is an adaptation that increases the accessibility of FA in educational settings, but typically relies on occurrence measures. The use of latency as a measure may improve the sensitivity of the trial-based FA. This study extends the literature on adaptations to the functional analysis, specifically for use in the classroom, by using latency as a measure of response strength in the trial-based FA.

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the use of 360 degree virtual reality training videos to teach pre-service teachers to implement a Trial-Based Functional Analysis (TBFA). Additionally, the current study sought to assess if following training, participants could generalize the assessment skills learned to a novel problem behavior. Three undergraduate education majors in their junior year of coursework participated in the study, and were exposed to 360 degree virtual reality training videos for each of the TBFA conditions (attention, demand, and tangible) in various orders in a multiple-probe design. Results from the study indicated that the videos were effective in teaching participants to conduct a TBFA, and none of the participants required performance feedback to reach mastery criteria. Additionally, all participants were able to successfully generalize the skills learned to a novel problem behavior. When asked about their perceptions of the virtual reality training methods through a social validity questionnaire, participants gave high ratings indicating that these training methods overall were useful, effective, and acceptable. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a classroom teacher implementing trail-based functional analyses (FAs), experimentally evaluate the effects of a classroom teacher implementing differential reinforcement of alternative (DRA) procedures with participants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the context of a natural setting, and assess the feasibility of the DRA for the classroom teacher. A multiple baseline with an embedded ABAB design was used for one participant and an ABAB design was used for the second participant to measure the percentage of the participants’ engagement in the alternative behavior and the target behavior. Results showed that the classroom teacher could implement the trail-based FAs with fidelity, DRA procedures were effective for both participants, and the teacher was neutral in regard to the feasibility of the procedures.

In 1997, Congress established the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 1997), which required that schools conduct functional behavior assessments when a student engages in problem behavior that may lead to suspension or expulsion (Ervin et al., 2001; Yell & Katsiyanis, 2010). As a result, research has expanded to include ways to adapt the functional assessment process in school settings. The purpose of this study was to compare the correspondence between functional analysis procedures for students in a private school and validate the assessment outcomes with interventions conducted in the classroom settings. The results indicate that both assessments corresponded in 87% of all functions identified in the study. Furthermore, the interventions yielded reductions in problem behaviors for all participants.

Previous research has demonstrated that individuals with a dual diagnosis often engage in challenging behavior as a means to fulfil their needs and wants. Functional behavioral assessments (FBA) are a way of evaluating these behaviors and creating effective interventions to reduce them and increase socially appropriate alternative behaviors. The present study assessed the convergent validity for three types of FBAs, including the Questions About Behavioral Function (QABF) questionnaire, trial-based functional analysis, and traditional functional analysis, for three adults with a dual diagnosis within a day program setting. Results found correspondence between two forms of assessments, the trial-based functional analysis and traditional functional analysis, for one out of the three subjects. Due to a lack of engagement in the targeted behavior for the other two subjects, results were inconclusive. Results of the QABF did not match those of the functional analyses for any of the subjects, suggesting that the assessment should be used with caution. The trial-based functional analysis may be a viable tool for assessing function for the challenging behavior of adults with a dual diagnosis, although it should not be used as a replacement for the traditional functional analysis.

The present study utilized multiple-baseline and multi-probe across participants designs to measure both fidelity and efficacy of caregivers as primary interventionists when using trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) procedures. Participants included any caregiver of a child with a medical or educational diagnosis of autism and challenging behavior. Caregiver fidelity of implementation of TBFA procedures was measured across three phases: baseline, training, and independent implementation or generalization. Within the implementation phase, caregivers independently conducted TBFAs on their respective children within the home setting. Fidelity, efficacy, and social validity across each participant were measured. Each caregiver was able to reach fidelity during the training phase, and three out of five caregivers were able to identify a clear behavior function for their child's behavior within the implementation phase of the study. Social validity was evaluated. Results indicate that caregivers may be able to supplement traditional interventionists during the TBFA process. Implications for future practice are reviewed.

This study investigated a process for identifying the reasons why a person with an intellectual disability has problem behaviors. This process is called a trial-based functional analysis (TBFA). The researchers wanted to know if a person who was not an expert behavior analyst could be trained to perform the TBFA and if the results obtained from the TBFA could be used to create a program to reduce the problem behavior of a person with an intellectual disability living in a community-based group home for persons with disabilities. The results of this study show that a person who is not an expert behavior analyst can be trained to perform a TBFA and that the results obtained from the TBFA were useful in creating a program to reduce the problem behavior of an adult male person living in a rural area in Utah.

A critical first step in addressing problem behavior is to identify the function of the problem, or reason for engaging in the problem behavior, using systematic assessment procedures known as a functional analysis (FA). The literature consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of FAs, and variations of FAs (e.g., trial-based functional analysis [TBFA]) for assessing a variety of topographies of problem behaviors across populations, age groups, and settings; however, the use of TBFAs for assessing the function of inappropriate mealtime behavior (IMB) has been documented in the literature only once. The purpose of the current study was to contribute to the research examining the efficacy of using TBFAs to identify functions of IMB. Results from the current study are mixed. TBFAs lead to the identification of functions of IMB for 1 out of 3 participants. When comparing TBFA results to traditional FA results, partial correspondence was observed for one participant, and no correspondence was observed for the other two participants. Future research should continue to evaluate the efficacy of TBFAs for IMB as well as evaluate the validity of TBFAs for IMB when results yield evidence of functional relationships.