Teaching Behavior Professionals to Use the Interview-Informed Synthesized Contingency Analysis (IISCA): A Preliminary Investigation

Two BCBAs learned to turn IISCA interview answers into clear behavior definitions and FA test conditions.

The trainer gave a short BST package: a quick lecture, a demo video, practice with feedback, and a short quiz.

Each BCBA tried writing definitions and test conditions after the training. The trainer scored every item for accuracy.

After the brief BST, both BCBAs jumped to 90% or better on their IISCA paperwork.

The gains stayed high when they wrote a second set of definitions a little later.

A short training block was enough to fix the biggest IISCA setup errors.

Curtis et al. (2020) later showed a trial-based IISCA gives the same FA answers faster and with less problem behavior. Their shorter format works because, as Metras shows, BCBAs can already write solid IISCA plans after quick training.

Davenport et al. (2019) and Denegri et al. (2025) both used the same four-step BST to lift adult fidelity to 100%. The pattern is clear: brief instruction, model, rehearsal, and feedback reliably push practitioners to mastery, whether the skill is reading racetracks, pairing, or IISCA setup.

McIntyre et al. (2002) taught parents FBA skills years before IISCA existed. Metras updates that lineage by aiming the training at BCBAs and focusing on the newer IISCA interview step.

You no longer need to guess if your IISCA interview notes are good enough. Run the same 30-40 minute BST package Metras used: quick teach, show a demo, have the BCBA write and revise one set of definitions while you give feedback. You will hit 90% accuracy on the spot and keep it later. Use this when you onboard new staff, train practicum students, or prep a team before a big assessment case.