Assessment is a cornerstone of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), providing critical data to understand a client’s behaviors, skills, and preferences.
As a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), you will play a key role in assisting with assessments under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
This guide covers all tasks in Section B of the RBT Task List, offering clear explanations and practical examples to help you prepare for the RBT exam and excel in your role.
Why Assessment Matters in ABA
Assessments are systematic methods used to gather information about a client’s behavior, abilities, and environment.
They are essential for:
- Identifying strengths and areas needing improvement.
- Determining the purpose (or function) of challenging behaviors.
- Discovering what motivates a client through preference assessments.
- Establishing baseline data to track progress and evaluate interventions.
As an RBT, your accurate data collection during assessments directly supports the creation of effective, individualized treatment plans.
RBT Task B-1: Conduct Preference Assessments
Preference assessments help identify items, activities, or experiences a client enjoys, which can then be used as reinforcers to encourage positive behaviors.
The BCBA will decide which type of assessment to use, and you’ll carry it out as directed.
Types of Preference Assessments
1. Single Stimulus Assessment
- What It Is: You present one item at a time and note the client’s reaction (e.g., do they reach for it or ignore it?).
- When to Use: Ideal for clients who struggle with choosing between options or for a quick evaluation.
- Example: You offer a stuffed animal. The client grabs it and smiles, so you mark it as preferred. You then present other items one by one.
2. Paired Stimulus (Forced-Choice) Assessment
- What It Is: You present two items together and record which one the client selects.
- When to Use: Great for ranking preferences from most to least preferred.
- Example: You place a juice box and a cracker in front of the client. They pick the juice box. You note this and continue pairing items to build a preference list.
3. Multiple Stimulus Assessment
- What It Is: You offer several items at once and observe the order in which the client interacts with them.
- When to Use: Efficient for quickly identifying multiple preferences.
- Example: You set out a toy truck, a book, and a snack. The client picks the snack first, then the truck, and skips the book. You record the snack as the top choice.
How to Conduct Preference Assessments
- Direct Observation: Watch how the client interacts with items or activities (most reliable).
- Caregiver Input: Ask parents or teachers what the client likes (useful but less accurate than observation).
Key Tip: Use a variety of age-appropriate items and keep sessions brief to hold the client’s interest.
RBT Task B-2: Assist with Individualized Assessment Procedures
Individualized assessments pinpoint the reasons behind behaviors or evaluate a client’s skill levels.
Your job as an RBT is to assist the BCBA by collecting data during these processes, while the BCBA designs and interprets the results.
Types of Individualized Assessments
1. Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
- What It Is: A method to figure out why a challenging behavior happens (its function).
- Why It Matters: Knowing the behavior’s purpose helps the BCBA create strategies to address it.
- Parts of an FBA:
- Indirect Assessments: Talking to caregivers or using questionnaires to gather background info.
- Direct Assessments: Observing the client and recording ABCs—antecedents (triggers), behaviors, and consequences.
- Functional Analysis: Testing hypotheses about the behavior by changing conditions (typically done by the BCBA).
- Example: You notice that when a demand is placed (antecedent), the client tantrums (behavior), and the demand is removed (consequence). This suggests the tantrum might be an escape behavior.
- Your Role: Collect ABC data during sessions as instructed.
2. Skill Acquisition Assessments
- What It Is: Tools to measure what a client can do and what skills they need to develop.
- Common Examples:
- VB-MAPP: Assesses verbal and social skills, often for kids with autism.
- ABLLS-R: Tests a range of abilities, like communication and daily living skills.
- Example: You ask the client to “clap hands” during a VB-MAPP task. They clap, and you record a correct response.
- Your Role: Run specific tasks or probes and log the client’s performance.
Key Tip: Follow the BCBA’s directions exactly to ensure consistent, reliable data.
Practical Tips for RBTs
Data Collection
- Be Precise: Double-check your notes to match what you observed.
- Stay Neutral: Record facts (e.g., “client pushed item away”), not opinions (e.g., “client didn’t like it”).
- Keep It Consistent: Use the same methods each time for dependable results.
Working with the BCBA
- Share Observations: Tell the BCBA if something stands out, like a client rejecting all items in a preference assessment.
- Seek Guidance: If you’re unsure about a step, ask the BCBA before moving forward.
Example: During an FBA, the client’s behavior changes unexpectedly. You note it and ask the BCBA if you should adjust how you’re collecting data.
Conclusion
Assessments are the foundation of ABA, turning observations into actionable plans that improve clients’ lives.
Whether you’re conducting preference assessments to find motivators or assisting with FBAs to decode behaviors, your role as an RBT is vital.
Mastering these skills for the RBT exam means understanding not just the “how” but the “why” behind each step.
Practice these techniques, focus on accuracy, and take pride in helping unlock your clients’ potential through assessment!