Indirect Assessment

Gathering information about a behaviour without directly observing it, usually through interviews or rating scales.

Indirect assessments rely on the recall of people who know the individual well, such as parents, teachers, or the individuals themselves. Common tools include the FAST, QABF, and structured clinical interviews.

While subjective and prone to bias, indirect assessments serve as a vital first step. They help you build rapport, establish broad behavioural definitions, and narrow the focus for your subsequent direct observations.