What is the primary purpose of indirect functional assessment?

The primary purpose of indirect functional assessment is to gather information from individuals who are familiar with the person displaying problem behavior. This typically includes caregivers, teachers, or anyone who regularly interacts with the individual. Through interviews, questionnaires, or structured surveys, these informants can provide insights regarding the context in which the behavior occurs, its frequency, and the events that may trigger or reinforce it. This information helps behavior analysts identify potential functions of the behavior, which can guide the development of effective interventions.

In contrast to direct observation methods, indirect assessments rely on subjective reports rather than real-time data collection. Therefore, indirect functional assessments serve as a valuable preliminary step in understanding behavior before conducting more direct observations or interventions.