Which tool is designed to identify likely function(s) of challenging behavior via caregiver input?

• A. FAST
• B. MAS
• C. ABC Data
• D. Informal Preference Check

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is using caregiver input to form hypotheses about why a challenging behavior occurs. The Functional Analysis Screening Tool is designed for that purpose: it’s a concise, structured interview with caregivers that prompts them to describe the context and consequences of the behavior and to indicate the most likely functions, such as escape, attention, access to tangibles, or sensory factors. This screening helps you generate plausible function hypotheses quickly and guides what to test or address in further assessment or intervention without needing a full formal analysis upfront. While other tools also involve caregiver input, the FAST is specifically built as a quick screening to identify likely functions, making it the most direct fit for this purpose. ABC data relies on direct observation of antecedents, behaviors, and consequences, not caregiver-driven function guessing, and an informal preference check focuses on what the learner prefers rather than why the behavior occurs. The MAS uses caregiver input too, but it’s a broader measure of motivation rather than a targeted screening for function.