RBT Study Guide Unit B: Assessment
Assessment is the foundation of effective behavioral intervention. In this section of our RBT Exam Study Guide, we cover Section B of the BACB’s RBT Task List (2nd Edition), a critical domain for aspiring Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Mastery of assessment concepts helps you collect meaningful data, identify client preferences, and contribute to individualized behavior plans.
Before starting unit B, first make sure you have studied and practice RBT study guide unit A Measurement.
What Is Assessment in ABA?
In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), assessment refers to systematically collecting information about an individual’s behavior, environment, and skill levels. These insights help Behavior Analysts create effective, personalized therapy programs and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
As an RBT, you’ll assist with three key assessment processes:
- Conducting Preference Assessments
- Supporting Individualized Skill Assessments
- Helping with Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs)
Let’s break each down.
1. Conducting Preference Assessments
Preference assessments are used to identify what items, activities, or people a client enjoys. This is important because preferred items may act as reinforcers, increasing the likelihood of desired behaviors.
Why Reassess Regularly?
Client preferences can change over time. A toy that was reinforcing last week might no longer motivate behavior this week. RBTs should conduct preference assessments regularly and as needed.
Types of Preference Assessments
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Indirect Assessments | Ask caregivers, teachers, or the client about likes/dislikes via interviews or surveys. |
| Free Operant | Observe which items the client naturally gravitates toward in an open setting. |
| Single Stimulus | Present one item at a time and measure the client’s reaction. |
| Paired Stimulus (Forced Choice) | Present two items and record which one the client selects. Useful for creating a hierarchy of preferences. |
| Multiple Stimulus With Replacement (MSW) | Present multiple items, replace the selected one, and repeat. Tracks consistency of preferences. |
| Multiple Stimulus Without Replacement (MSWO) | Present multiple items, remove selected items from subsequent trials. Helps identify top reinforcers. |
2. Assisting With Individualized Assessments
RBTs assist Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) in conducting skill-based assessments that help identify a client’s strengths, deficits, and developmental needs.
As an RBT, your role includes setting up materials, recording accurate data, and observing behavior—without giving prompts or corrections.
Common ABA Assessment Tools
- VB-MAPP (Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program)
Assesses language, social, and academic skills in children with autism and developmental delays. Helps guide individualized learning goals. - ABLLS-R (Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills – Revised)
Evaluates language, social interaction, self-help, and academic skills. Often used in both school and home settings. - AFLS (Assessment of Functional Living Skills)
Focuses on practical life skills like hygiene, cooking, money management, and vocational tasks to increase independence.
3. Assisting With Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA)
A Functional Behavior Assessment helps determine why a behavior is occurring—its function—so that effective interventions can be designed.
As an RBT, you may assist by:
- Observing the client
- Recording antecedents, behaviors, and consequences (ABC data)
- Helping collect direct and indirect assessment data
Types of FBA Data Collection
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Indirect Assessments | Gather insights through interviews, checklists, and questionnaires from those familiar with the client. |
| Direct Observation (Descriptive Assessments) | Watch and record the behavior as it happens. Track patterns, frequency, and context. |
| Functional Analysis (FA) | A BCBA manipulates environmental variables to test hypotheses about behavioral functions. This is the most precise method but must be conducted carefully. |
Key Takeaways for the RBT Exam
- Know how to conduct and distinguish between different types of preference assessments.
- Understand how to assist with individualized assessments like VB-MAPP, ABLLS-R, and AFLS.
- Be familiar with the goals and data collection methods involved in FBAs.
Want to master Section C next? Stay tuned for our next installment covering Data Collection and Graphing Procedures to ensure you’re 100% ready for the RBT certification exam.
Pro Tip: Bookmark this guide and revisit it often as you prep for the RBT exam. Understanding the “why” behind assessment strategies will make you a more competent, confident technician.
Understanding Assessment in RBT Practice
Which option below is not a type of trial-based preference assessment?
Answer:
Paired stimulus
Explanation:
The paired stimulus method is a type of preference assessment, but it is not categorized as trial-based like the others listed. The free operant, multiple stimulus with replacement, and multiple stimulus without replacement assessments involve structured trials to measure preferences through interactions within a given timeframe.
Ethan, an RBT, is conducting a preference assessment with his client, Jake, by offering a selection of items and observing which ones Jake interacts with the most. What type of assessment method is Ethan using?
Answer:
Free Operant
Explanation:
In a free operant preference assessment, the observer allows the client to freely interact with a variety of items within a set period. This method focuses on the client’s natural choices instead of structured pairings, capturing genuine preferences based on behaviors exhibited during free interaction.
Why is a preference assessment typically conducted?
Answer:
To find out which activities or items the client enjoys
Explanation:
A primary goal of preference assessments is to identify the items or activities that the client finds most enjoyable or motivating. Knowing these preferences aids in designing interventions and reinforcements that are more effective during therapy sessions, enhancing engagement.
Which type of assessment requires changing environmental conditions to discover the reason behind a specific behavior?
Answer:
Functional analysis
Explanation:
Functional analysis is designed to manipulate different environmental variables to observe changes in behavior, thereby identifying the function or cause of specific actions. This method provides clearer insights into the antecedents and consequences influencing the behavior, distinguishing it from other assessment types.
In ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) data, what does the term “antecedent” refer to?
Answer:
What happened just before the behavior
Explanation:
The “antecedent” in the ABC model indicates the events or circumstances that occur right before a behavior takes place. This understanding helps in analyzing the context that triggers the behavior, which is critical for developing effective interventions.
Amelia, an RBT, presents multiple items to her client John during a session and notes which items he interacts with the most. Which type of preference assessment is she performing?
Answer:
Free Operant Preference Assessment
Explanation:
Amelia is conducting a free operant preference assessment as she allows John to choose from multiple items and observe his interactions. This form of assessment is effective in revealing genuine interests, providing valuable data for reinforcing strategies in future sessions.
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