A comparison of an individual’s behavior to same-age, typically developing peers to determine if a challenging behavior is at problematic levels or appropriate for that age or context.

Hint: Not all behavioral excesses need intervention. A discrepancy analysis keeps us from targeting things that may seem like a behavior excess but are actually expected and age-appropriate.

5th Edition Task List

H-2  Identify potential interventions based on assessment results and the best available scientific evidence.

6th Edition TCO

F.3 Design and evaluate assessments of relevant skill strengths and areas of need.

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Standardized tests

An assessment instrument with empirically established validity and reliability that compares a client’s results to the normative levels of the population for whom the specific test was designed.

Rating scales

An indirect assessment method in which individuals knowledgeable about the occurrence of the behavior of interest and the relevant environmental variables, answer questions by making selections from a closed set…

Indirect FBA

Functional behavior assessment activities that aim to identify the events in the natural setting that correlate with the behavior of interest by collecting information from individuals who know the individual…

Functional behavior assessment (FBA)

The methods and activities used by behavior analysts to gather information about the function of problem behavior, the results of which are used to guide goal setting and interventions for…

Ecological assessment

A direct functional behavior assessment procedure that looks at the complex environmental relationships of every element of an individual’s life to assess physiological, social, and home-based conditions and an individual’s…

Direct FBA

Functional behavior assessment activities that directly interact and measure events in the natural setting that correlate with the behavior of interest.

Criterion-referenced assessment (CRA)

An assessment that measures performance against a set of predetermined developmental tasks and commonly accepted criteria for specific developmental levels, measuring the presence, absence, or emergence of developmentally appropriate tasks.

Curriculum-based assessment (CBA)

An assessment of performance levels on specific tasks or lessons (e.g., motor, language, cognition, self-help or academic skills) often used by teachers in educational settings.

Behavior checklist

An indirect assessment method administered using checklists to gather descriptions of the referral behavior and the relevant antecedents and consequences, as well as information about the frequency, duration, or intensity…

Behavioral interview

An indirect assessment method used to identify potential target behaviors and the client’s and relevant individual’s primary concerns by asking about the client’s home environment,family dynamics, social history, community involvement,…

Dana Do's: Six Direct Assessment Methods

Looking to review direct assessment methods? PTB founder Dana Meller gets right to it with this quick explainer.