Evaluating Practical Functional Assessment and Skill-Based Treatment for Severe Challenging Behavior via Telehealth with Novice Dual Parent Implementers: A Pilot Investigation.

This article focuses on evaluating the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of coaching both parents with no prior behavioral training to implement practical functional assessment and skill-based treatment (PFA/SBT) for severe challenging behaviors in a 6-year-old girl with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) via telehealth. Using a performance-based interview-informed synthesized contingency analysis (IISCA) to identify the functions of the child’s challenging behaviors, parents were individually coached over 12 weeks to implement skill-based treatment, resulting in high fidelity implementation, significant reductions in dangerous and non-dangerous challenging behaviors, and acquisition of functional communication and contextually appropriate behaviors. A subsequent 12-week treatment extension with the father demonstrated further skill development and cooperation in academic tasks. The study highlights telehealth as a viable model to increase access to specialized behavioral interventions for families in remote areas, while noting challenges such as technology limitations, generalization of skills outside sessions, and caregiver coordination.