Practical Functional Assessment and Skill-Based Treatment: Introduction and Design Training

The functional analysis is often recommended as a tool for clinicians to use to identify environmental causes of problem behavior to better inform subsequent treatment. However, the lack of concrete guidelines supporting the safe and practical application of functional analysis procedures often leaves clinicians in a precarious position having to choose between what is empirically supported and what is feasible. In this talk, I will introduce the Practical Functional Assessment (PFA), which was developed to address the growing concerns among clinicians and caregivers for a more compassionate and caring field. I will also discuss how clinicians can use the results of the PFA to design Skill-Based Treatments (SBT) that focus on teaching a host of skills to replace problem behavior, such as communication, toleration, and cooperation. The comprehensive PFA/SBT model addresses problem behavior while incorporating a compassionate and trauma-informed framework to maintain a safe environment with the individual’s choices overtly shaping their therapeutic experiences. I will go over a systematic guide for using the PFA/SBT model and provide implementation tips for successful application to the clients you serve.

Objectives

1. Participants will be able to define today’s ABA
2. Participants will understand how to conduct and collect data during the practical functional assessment
3. Participants will understand how to implement the skill-based treatment
4. Participants will be able to identify how to minimize escalation in problem behavior using choice