Functional Behavior Assessment
Functional behavioral assessment (FBA) is a problem-solving strategy that is used to determine the cause of a student’s inappropriate behavior before developing an intervention. It is important to utilize functional behavioral assessments because an effective intervention must be based on the cause of the behavior. These assessments will look beyond the behavior. The focus will be on identifying significant social, emotional, cognitive, and/or environmental factors associated with specific behaviors. These perspectives will give a better understanding of why a student is behaving a certain way. Listed below are common types of why students misbehave. These functions should be considered during a FBA.
Types of Problem Behavior
1. Attention-seeking or desired events
2. Avoidance of demands or undesired events
3. Sensory consequences (feels good, no pain, etc.)
Determining the Cause of the Behavior
1. Interviews and rating scales
2. Direct observation of behavior
3. Manipulating environmental events to see if behavior changes
Types of Problem Behavior
1. Attention-seeking or desired events
2. Avoidance of demands or undesired events
3. Sensory consequences (feels good, no pain, etc.)
Determining the Cause of the Behavior
1. Interviews and rating scales
2. Direct observation of behavior
3. Manipulating environmental events to see if behavior changes
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Using the above assessment tools, functional behavioral assessments will collect data and make observations. This information will be used to find connections between the problem behavior, antecedents, and consequences. The data can be used to form a hypothesis about what the cause of the behavior might be. When the cause or purpose is determined, interventions can be made to change the reinforcers and antecedents to decrease the occurrence of the problem behavior.
Conducting a Functional Behavioral Assessment
1. Describe the behavior
2. Collect data and information on the behavior
3. Suggest a possible cause of behavior
4. Generate hypothesis
5. Test hypothesis
The basis of functional behavioral assessments is that if it is known why a student is behaving in a certain way, more effective interventions can be utilized.
Conducting a Functional Behavioral Assessment
1. Describe the behavior
2. Collect data and information on the behavior
3. Suggest a possible cause of behavior
4. Generate hypothesis
5. Test hypothesis
The basis of functional behavioral assessments is that if it is known why a student is behaving in a certain way, more effective interventions can be utilized.