Progressive Functional Analysis and Function-Based Intervention Via Telehealth: A Replication and Extension.

Researchers tested a telehealth program where parents learned to understand why their autistic child shows challenging behaviors and how to respond effectively. The program worked well - it figured out the reasons behind challenging behaviors in most children (36 out of 47). For the 17 families who completed the full program, all children showed an 80% reduction in challenging behaviors. Parents received coaching through video calls to learn these techniques at home.

This study evaluated a progressive functional analysis model and function-based interventions delivered by caregivers via telehealth coaching for 47 autistic children with challenging behaviors. The functional analysis successfully identified the function of challenging behavior in 36 participants (77%), while 9 showed minimal challenging behavior and 2 had inconclusive results. Of 17 participants who received intervention, all achieved the mastery criterion of 80% reduction in challenging behavior. Pre-post assessments showed statistically significant improvements in externalizing behaviors on the VABS-3, though parental stress and observational measures did not show significant changes.

This replicates previous research supporting telehealth-delivered functional analysis and interventions.

Telehealth-delivered functional analysis and caregiver-implemented interventions show strong promise for reducing challenging behaviors in autistic children. This approach offers accessible, family-centered intervention that can be delivered remotely, potentially increasing access to evidence-based behavioral supports for families.

Sample size details not fully reported. High attrition rate (17 of 47 participants completed intervention phase). Limited follow-up data on maintenance of treatment gains. No control group comparison provided in this analysis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a progressive functional analysis (FA) model and function-based intervention delivered by caregivers with coaching via telehealth. Children diagnosed with autism and at least one caregiver (e.g., parent) participated in the study. We conducted three assessments prior to and following intervention: a researcher-developed 10-min observation, the Parental Stress Index, and the externalizing section of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Rating Scales, Third Edition (VABS-3). We included 47 participants in the present evaluation of the progressive FA model.

We identified the function of challenging behavior for 36 participants. A function was not identified for nine participants who exhibited low or no challenging behavior during the assessment; the results were inconclusive for two participants. For the 17 participants who participated in the intervention evaluation phase, each of the participants achieved the mastery criterion, which was an 80% reduction in challenging behavior for most participants. Additionally, there was a statistically significant decrease in the VABS-3 externalizing behavior measure from pre- to post-assessment, although neither of the other pre-post measures resulted in statistically significant changes.

This study replicates and extends previous research, supporting the use of progressive FA model and function-based interventions to improve challenging behavior.