Concurrent validity of open-ended functional assessment interviews with functional analysis

Abstract

Open-Ended Functional Assessment Interviews have limited empirical support for their concurrent validity with functional analysis. To address this issue, we conducted a study wherein 176 independent behavior analysts relied on data collected using Open-Ended Functional Assessment Interviews to identify the function of challenging behavior in four children with autism. Then, we compared the results of their analyses with those of a traditional functional analysis. Our results showed that the conclusions drawn by behavior analysts using the Open-Ended Functional Assessment Interviews corresponded with the outcomes of functional analyses in 74% of cases. These findings suggest that the Open-Ended Functional Assessment Interview may inform functional analyses to develop initial hypotheses.