Developing the Parent-Coaching Assessment, Individualization, and Response to Stressors (PAIRS) Tool for Behavior Analysts

Expert BCBAs helped build a new tool called PAIRS. PAIRS stands for Parent-coaching Assessment, Individualization, and Response to Stressors.

The tool gives you a three-step script: Assess family stress, Individualize the plan, and Respond with tailored support.

The experts rated the script for relevance, effectiveness, and appropriateness. Their high marks show the tool has solid content validity.

The experts said every part of PAIRS matters. They agreed it helps you spot family stress and pick the right coaching moves.

Because the ratings were strong, you can trust the tool to guide parent meetings from day one.

Kunze et al. (2025) extend PAIRS into telehealth. Their PRRFCT Match package follows the same assess-individualize-respond loop with toddlers online and gets good parent gains.

Toby et al. (2024) run parallel work. They built the POP-C calculator to set ABA hours, while PAIRS sets parent-coaching moves. Both give novice BCBAs a clear, defensible script.

Scherpbier et al. (2025) back the responsive part. They show that praising parents right after they use a skill boosts use by 10–25%. PAIRS tells you to watch and respond in the same moment.

You no longer need to wing parent meetings. Open PAIRS, ask the stress questions, pick matched strategies, and give live feedback. The tool is short, free, and expert-approved. Try it in your next session and see if families engage faster and stay longer.