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Individuals with autism are at increased risk of developing severe behavior problems such as self-injury and aggression. Problem behavior remains among the most serious challenges for the habilitation of persons with autism, and the largest barrier to community integration. Based on decades of research, a best practices model has emerged whereby problem behavior is assessed via functional analysis (Iwata et al, 1982/1994) to determine the environmental variables that occasion and maintain the behavior (the function); a treatment is then selected that matches that function. Inclusion of parents/caregivers in assessment of problem behavior can improve functional analysis accuracy and produce effective interventions. This presentation will review clinical practices and research findings demonstrating the efficacy of using caregivers as therapists in functional analyses and treatment services for severe problem behavior.