Improvements in problem behavior in a child with autism spectrum diagnosis through synthesized analysis and treatment: A replication in an <scp>EIBI</scp> home program
Weekly parent coaching lets you run the full FCT + delay-tolerance package at home with the same sharp drop in problem behavior seen in clinics.
01Research in Context
What this study did
One BCBA moved an entire clinic FCT package into a family living room.
She coached the parents once a week while they ran the full plan every day.
The child was preschool-age with autism and daily problem behavior.
What they found
Problem behavior dropped fast once the parents used the new script.
The child started asking for breaks and snacks with short phrases instead of hitting.
All gains held for the full home program without extra clinic visits.
How this fits with other research
Alnemary et al. (2017) first showed you can train staff in groups to run trial-based FAs. Strand moved that idea into the home with parent coaching instead of staff meetings.
Standish et al. (2023) later removed almost all live coaching. Their online module taught parents to run the FA alone. Strand sits in the middle: some coaching, but still home-based.
Pettingell et al. (2022) used a one-hour computer lesson for school staff. Strand’s weekly parent visits add more support, yet both get accurate results without a clinic.
Why it matters
You no longer need a clinic room to turn FA results into real FCT. Train parents in their own kitchen with a simple script and brief weekly check-ins. The child still gets the same big drop in problem behavior. If your waiting list for center sessions is long, send the package home first.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
A recent study described a synthesized treatment where a functional analysis was based on an open‐ended interview and combined with functional communication and delay‐tolerance training. The treatment resulted in a reduction in problem behaviors and an increase in appropriate requests. Most of the analysis and intervention were done in a clinic setting, and required weekly visits by the family. This present study is a systematic replication, where we conducted the same synthesized treatments, with a young child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) enrolled in a home‐based Early Intensive Behavior Intervention program, EIBI. Outcomes were similar with a marked reduction in problem behaviors and an increase in appropriate requests. These findings suggest that it is possible to conduct this intervention in a home setting, with weekly consultations with parents. Our study show the utility of the synthesized treatment in an EIBI program in a home setting and how this can contribute to client time and costs.
Behavioral Interventions, 2018 · doi:10.1002/bin.1505