Bringing Assent into Behavior Analysis: Qualitative, Functional, and Meaningful
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Authors
Pauli, Brittney Lynne
Issue Date
2025
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Assent , Autism , Ethics , Informed Consent , Practice-based Research
Alternative Title
Abstract
Applied behavior analytic (ABA) services such as Early Intensive Behavioral Interventions (EIBI) have been shown to be an evidence-based approach for supporting autistic individuals. Autistic advocates have identified that individuals who have received applied behavior analytic services have experienced traumatic experiences including an over-emphasis on compliance, diminished autonomy, and long-term challenges in self-advocacy (Anderson, 2022; Sandoval-Norton et al., 2019; Wilkenfeld & McCarthy, 2020). In response to these concerns and the gap in literature, the implementation of assent frameworks (Breaux & Smith, 2023; Flowers & Dawes, 2023; Morris et al., 2021, Morris et al., 2024) within clinical settings has been emphasized in behavior analysis. We embedded a functional behavior assessment process into current ABA services provided at a community organization to evaluate the feasibility of implementation of an assent framework and to evaluate effects the framework may have upon service delivery and client progress. Our data suggest that these procedures are feasible to add to current clinical procedures to increase adherence to child assent without negatively affecting the productivity of each session or client progress.