Abstract:

Studies have shown that about 1in 59 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (Baio et al, 2018). The number of autism cases is also increasing due to improved diagnostics (Elsabbagh et al., 2012). Children with ASD have more behavioral and emotional difficulties rather than children with typical development. Behavioral analysis-based interventions help develop new skills, improve communication and social skills (Maw, The Hague, 2018), language expression and comprehension (Makrygianni et al., 2018).

As the prevalence of ASD increases, demands are placed on families and service providers to coordinate and deliver services aligned with the multi-faceted needs of individuals with ASD (Klinepeter, 2018). There is still lack of research related to family-professional collaboration-based functional behavior assessment of children with ASD in Lithuania. The aim of the research is to reveal abilities of functional behavior assessment of children with autism spectrum disorder based on family-speech language therapist collaboration. The research is based on qualitative research methodology, including structured interview content analysis, scientific literature analysis, and a case study. The participants of the research include children with ASD (N=4), their family members (N=4), and professionals (N=19): kindergarten teachers and speech language therapists. The results of research show that collaboratively processed functional behavior assessment of a child with ASD using Functional Behavior Assessment tool allows professionals and parents find a common understanding of child’s behavior and its causes.

Family-professional collaboration facilitates creation of a strategy that supports positive behavior of a child. This paper concludes with theoretical explanation of causes and characteristics of ASD explained by the theories such as Theory of Mind, Mind Blindness, Anthropomorphism, Central Coherence, Executive Dysfunction, Empathizing – Systemizing (E-S). The research improves benefits of Functional Behavior Assessment as well.

Keywords:

Autism spectrum disorder, functional behaviour assessment, family-professional collaboration.