Evaluation of a trial‐based interview‐informed synthesized contingency analysis

Curtis et al. (2020) tested a quicker way to run an IISCA. They kept the same interview questions but ran the test in short trials instead of long sessions.

Kids with autism got 2-minute test trials mixed with 2-minute control trials. The team watched to see if problem behavior still showed the same function as in a regular FA.

The short trial format gave the same answers as the long FA. Problem behavior stayed low during trials, so the test was safer for the child.

Less time, fewer tears, same result.

Metras (2017) showed you can train BCBAs to run the IISCA interview in just one afternoon. Curtis adds: once trained, you can finish the whole test faster.

Saini et al. (2018) cut FA time by stopping early when data looked clear. Curtis uses tiny trials instead of early stops—two different roads to the same speed goal.

Sunde et al. (2022) give a checklist for reading latency FAs. Curtis gives a new format; both papers push toward standard, quick decisions.

You can swap your long IISCA sessions for 2-minute trials next week. You still get the function, but you free up clinic time and keep clients safer. Try it with your next IISCA case and log how many minutes you save.