In our previous lesson, we learned that functional assessment can involve the use of a variety of approaches. These can include Direct Data collection methods you learned about in our previous Module (duration, scatterplot, ABC-recording). However, they can also involve the use of indirect methods ? such as semi-structured interviews, rating scales and checklists.
Interviews
Behavior analysts will often begin the functional assessment process by conducting an interview. This may be an open ended interview or semi-structured interview (see the readings for examples). Interviews usually involve speaking to the person who engages in behaviors that challenge and/or those closest to them.
This can help to define the challenging behaviour and identify the circumstances that occur before and after the challenging behaviour.? Interviews are also useful in identifying historical variables that cannot currently be observed (e.g. if a person had a history of abuse or mistreatment).
Information gathered from interviews can then be used? to inform the selection of direct functional assessment methods.
Rating Scales and Questionnaires
Rating scales and questionnaires can be used to identify factors that influence the occurrence of a behaviour that challenges.? For example, the Functional Analysis Screening Tool (FAST)is a 16-item questionnaire that can be given to cares of a person who exhibits behaviors that challenge. The FAST is designed to help identify antecedents and consequences correlated with a behaviour that challenges.
Limitations
Indirect Functional Assessment methods can be very useful in identifying variables that may be worthy of further investigation. However,? they can be very subjective. People have different perspectives and can be subject to biases.? A staff member may claim that a behaviour does not occur with them, because they fear being blamed for the behaviour. A parent may not accurately remember what exactly happened before a behaviour or be unwilling to say if they reacted in a certain way. Results from questionnaires can often differ dramatically between staff.
As such, information obtained via indirect functional methods should be corroborated using direct methods.