Functional Assessment of Problem Behavior: Interview-Informed Synthesized Contingency Analysis (IISCA)

The basic ideas underlying the functional approach to assessing and correcting problem behavior are considered, a brief overview of studies related primarily to the modern approach to the analysis of dangerous behavior in children without the use of procedures involving physical intervention is presented. The well-known classical procedure of functional analysis, described by Brian Aywata and colleagues (1982/1994), is undoubtedly the gold standard in the theory and practice of applied behavior analysis. However, at present, specialists are increasingly seeking to use shorter and safer intervention strategies, in contrast to classical one. Today, Gregory Henley’s approach to functional assessment is of great interest among behavioral analysts, and is increasingly used to analyze and develop effective interventions for correcting severe and dangerous problem behaviors. The procedure of functional assessment based on synthesized contingencies, described by G. Henley, is illustrated, the reasons for using this type of assessment, the essence of synthesized contingencies are revealed, and a description of the steps of the methodology with examples is given.

The Use of Isolated and Synthesized Latency Functional Analyses in the Assessment and Treatment of Clothing Removal Exhibited by a Child with Autism

The case of a 9-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who presented with problem behavior in the form of high-frequency clothing removal is reported. Descriptive data indicated the behavior occurred when tasks were presented and commonly delayed task demands and resulted in staff attention. Two latency functional analyses with isolated and synthesized contingencies were completed to clarify the operant function of the behavior. Initial results of the synthesized analysis indicated clothing removal was sensitive to attention and escape. However, a subsequent functional analysis with isolated contingencies indicated that the behavior was maintained only by attention. A function-based intervention package consisting of attention extinction, response blocking, and differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) effectively reduced the frequency of clothing removal to near-zero levels. Results of the intervention were partially generalized to a new therapist. The use of latency functional analyses as a means to rapidly examine isolated and synthesized contingencies maintaining problem behavior is discussed as well as the effects of the treatment package on the behavior of clothing removal.