We describe a procedure for differentiating among potential precursor responses for use in a functional analysis. Conditional probability analysis of descriptive assessment data identified three potential precursors. Results from the indirect assessment corresponded with those obtained from the descriptive assessment. The top-ranked response identified as a precursor according to the indirect assessment had the strongest relation according to the probability analysis. When contingencies were arranged for the precursor in a functional analysis, the same function was identified as for target behavior, supporting the utility of indirect and descriptive methods to identify precursor behavior empirically.

We replicated and extended the effects of an assessment and treatment model employed by Hanley et al. (Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 16-36, 2014) with one participant receiving home-based services. Following a functional analysis, we taught the participant multiple functional communication responses (FCRs) and to tolerate delays and denials to requested items. The participant learned the FCRs and the delay to reinforcers was increased to 34 min. Results generalized across stimuli, people, settings, and time. Social validity results supported that the behaviors were important, the treatment was acceptable, and the effects were significant.

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