Using Brief Session Duration During Functional Analysis to Inform the Treatment of Problem Behavior in 13 Consecutive Cases

Author

Theresa Fiani, The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkFollow

Date of Degree

9-2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Program

Psychology

Advisor

Joshua Jessel

Committee Members

Emily A. Jones

Alicia Alvero

Mashid Ghaemmaghami

Gregory Hanley

Subject Categories

Applied Behavior Analysis

Keywords

analytic efficiency, functional analyses, functional communication training, problem behavior, reinforcement thinning

Abstract

Functional analyses allow a clinician to identify causal relations between environmental stimuli and problem behavior. Recent developments in functional analysis methodology have been devoted to creating practical procedures that can be conducted in a brief period of time. However, the extent to which improvements in analytic efficiency affect treatment outcomes have yet to be fully explored. We conducted a consecutive case series with 13 individuals who exhibited problem behavior. The participants experienced a comprehensive assessment and treatment program beginning with a functional analysis using 3-min sessions and ending with functional communication training and delay/denial tolerance training. Results demonstrated near elimination of problem behavior by the terminal treatment goal for all participants. This suggests that a clinician can still successfully treat problem behavior following relatively rapid assessment periods.

Recommended Citation

Fiani, Theresa, "Using Brief Session Duration During Functional Analysis to Inform the Treatment of Problem Behavior in 13 Consecutive Cases" (2020). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/3979