# Episode 3: Assessment Deep Dive: FAs, Risk, and CultureThis episode explores current research on functional assessment, from decision-making frameworks to cultural responsiveness, providing practical guidance for more thoughtful and systematic assessment practices.Timestamps
- 00:00 - Cold Open
- 01:00 - Introduction
- 02:00 - FA Decision-Making Framework
- 06:00 - Risk Assessment Tool (FARADT)
- 10:00 - Cultural Responsiveness in Interviews
- 14:00 - Derived Relations Training Methods
- 18:00 - Nursing Knowledge of Autism
- 22:00 - Synthesized Contingency Assessments
- 26:00 - Synthesis & Takeaways
- 29:00 - Outro
Articles Discussed
Study 1: Brown, K. R., Helvey, C. I., Kranak, M. P., & Lavin, A. (2025). Functional Analysis Decision-Making Considerations. *Behavior Analysis in Practice*. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-025-01057-w
Study 2: Schroeder, A. C., Peterson, S. M., Mahabub, M. B., & Dresch, M. K. (2024). A Pilot Evaluation of Expert and Novice Use of the Functional Analysis Risk Assessment Decision Tool. *Behavior Analysis in Practice*. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-01006-z
Study 3: Jessel, J., Beaulieu, L., & Rajaraman, A. (2025). How to Conduct More Culturally Responsive and Trauma-Informed Functional Assessment Interviews: A Tutorial. *Behavior Analysis in Practice*. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-025-01047-y
Study 4: Silvestre, M. H., Harte, C., Passarelli, D. A., & de Rose, J. C. (2025). Comparing delayed matching to sample with three variations of the training-IRAP for establishing derived relations. *Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior*. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.70082
Study 5: Albloushi, M., Alghamdi, R. S., & Alqahtani, M. (2025). Understanding Autism through the Eyes of Nurses: a Cross-Sectional Study. *Brain and Behavior*. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.71217
Study 6: McCabe, L. H., Greer, B. D., Helvey, C. I., & Briggs, A. M. (2025). On the Evidence for Interactive Effects During and Following Synthesized Contingency Assessments. *Behavioral Interventions*. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.2074Key Concepts
- FARADT: Functional Analysis Risk Assessment Decision Tool - systematic framework for evaluating FA risks
- Synthesized Contingency Assessment: FA methodology combining multiple consequences (e.g., escape + tangible access)
- Training-IRAP: Rapid-fire relational assessment procedure for establishing derived relations
- Cultural Responsiveness: Adapting assessment practices to account for client cultural backgrounds and values
- Derived Relations: Learning relationships between stimuli without direct teaching (e.g., A=B, B=C, therefore A=C)
Key Takeaways
- Use systematic risk assessment tools like FARADT to make more consistent FA decisions, especially for novice clinicians
- Tailor FA test conditions based on specific hypotheses rather than using a cookie-cutter approach
- Incorporate cultural responsiveness and trauma-informed practices into assessment interviews for better information gathering
- Consider alternative training methods for derived relations if traditional matching-to-sample isn't effective
- Interdisciplinary education is needed as other healthcare professionals may lack knowledge about evidence-based autism interventions
- Question assumptions about synthesized contingency assessments - interactive effects may be less common than expected
Resources
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