OUTLINE
Behavioral Assessment
*Systematically gathering information to make treatment decisions
•Purpose:
–Determine if intervention is needed
–Inform the treatment plan
–Evaluate effectiveness
Assessment Includes
*Preliminary screening
•Indirect assessment
•Direct observation/Descriptive Assessment
•Systematic manipulation/ Functional Analysis
Methods for Assessment
ABA Service delivery model
Preliminary Assessment
*Broad in Scope; Low in fidelity
*Goals:
–Gather basic information
–Determine if behavioral services are needed or others
–Recommend a plan
*Steps in Preliminary Assessment
Indirect Assessment
Indirect Assessment
Types
Descriptive Assessments
Descriptive Assessments
•Observing and measuring behavior in the natural environment
•Scope:–Medium (but narrowing)–Focus on specific behavior
*Fidelity:
-Low- Medium (but rising)
-Includes observations, but not manipulations
Descriptive Assessment
Types
Narrative recording
*Observer writes descriptions of behavior and environment in real time
•Gives information about context
•Can identify additional targets
ABC data collection
*Observer records what happens immediately before a response; the response itself; and what happens after the response
•Can uses coded forms or open ended
•Narrower scope than narrative recording
Scatterplots
Records the occurrence of behavior across hours of the day, and days of the week
Data Collection Across Conditions
Outcomes
Intermediate outcomes
- Could be sequential or concurrent
Short-term outcomes
* These lead to intermediate outcomes
Assessments that involve asking about behavior, but not observing behavior are called what?
a. Indirect Assessments b.Descriptive Assessments
c. Functional Analyses
a. Indirect Assessments
Lisa is working with a new client, she is about to train relevant people on how to carry out the procedures. What should she have already done?
a. Conducted assessments
b. Developed the plan
c. Implemented the plan
d. Monitored the implementation
a. Conducted assessments
b. Developed the plan
Maddie is about to meet a client and begin initial observations. What should she have already completed in her screening process?
a. Reviewed records
b. Completed documentation
c. Completed intake paperwork
d. Ensured consent
a. Reviewed records
c. Completed intake paperwork
d. Ensured consent
Preliminary screening will include a wide range of behavior and situations, meaning it is:
a. Broad in scope
b. Narrow in scopec.High in fidelity
d. Low in fidelity
a. Broad in scope
Indirect assessments begin to focus in on more specific situations and behavior, meaning:
a. Scope was narrow, but is becoming broad
b. It has the narrowest scope
c. Scope is still broad but begins to narrow
c. Scope is still broad but begins to narrow