Latency to the Second Response: A Preliminary Evaluation of a Modified Latency-Based Functional Analysis

Traditionally, during a latency-based functional analysis (FA), implementers end sessions upon the first instance of challenging behavior. Given that latency-based FAs rely on antecedent control because challenging behavior is exposed to the contingency once per session, usually each condition of the FA includes condition-specific stimuli (e.g., colored shirt) to enhance discrimination. Another strategy that could facilitate discrimination amongst the contingencies in effect would be to modify the procedures so that the target challenging behavior contacts the programmed consequences more than once per session of the test conditions (e.g., terminate the session upon the second instance of challenging behavior). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a modified latency-based FA in which sessions continued until the second instance of the target behavior. Following completion of the second-response latency-based FA (L2R-FA), we evaluated whether a function-based treatment, based on the function identified during the L2R-FA, was effective at decreasing challenging behavior of three children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Results of the current study indicate that the L2R-FA yielded differentiated outcomes in an efficient manner and that the function-based treatment (i.e., functional communication training; FCT) led to an increase in functional communication and a decrease in target challenging behavior for all participants.