Predicting and Managing Risk during Functional Analysis of Problem Behavior

Abstract

Maintaining participant safety during the assessment of problem behavior is of upmost importance. The performance-based, interview-informed synthesized contingency analysis (IISCA) is a functional analysis that incorporates an open-ended interview with caregivers. We introduced additional questions to the interview to identify participants who are prone to escalation. We found that the percentage of dangerous problem behavior and the probability of a burst were correlated with reports of quick escalation. The results suggest that questions regarding escalation speed may be helpful for predicting any safety concerns. Researchers should consider procedural modifications when safety concerns are anticipated to ensure individuals feel physically secure.

Keywords:

• Functional analysis
• problem behavior
• risk
• safety
• severity

Disclosure statement

Floriana Canniello, Luigi Iovino, Rosaria Benincasa, Maria Gallucci, and Salvatore Vita declares no conflict of interest. Gregory P. Hanley declares that he is the owner/founder of FTF Behavioral Consulting. Joshua Jessel declares a part-time consultant position at FTF Behavioral Consulting.

Notes

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