title: Evaluating the Accuracy of Results for Teacher Implemented Trial-Based Functional Analyses.
abstract: Trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) allows for the systematic and experimental assessment of challenging behavior in applied settings. The purposes of this study were to evaluate a professional development package focused on training three Head Start teachers to conduct TBFAs with fidelity during ongoing classroom routines. To assess the accuracy of the TBFA results, the effects of a function-based intervention derived from the TBFA were compared with the effects of a non-function-based intervention. Data were collected on child challenging behavior and appropriate communication. An A-B-A-C-D design was utilized in which A represented baseline, and B and C consisted of either function-based or non-function-based interventions counterbalanced across participants, and D represented teacher implementation of the most effective intervention. Results showed that the function-based intervention produced greater decreases in challenging behavior and greater increases in appropriate communication than the non-function-based intervention for all three children.
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University, College Station, USA mrispoli@tamu.edu.
authors.forename: Mandy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rispoli
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University, College Station, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ninci
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University, College Station, USA.
authors.forename: Mack D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University, College Station, USA.
authors.forename: Samar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaini
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University, College Station, USA.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hatton
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University, College Station, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000379:methods; D004517:Education, Professional; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: challenging behavior; functional behavior assessment; preschool; trial-based functional analysis