Lecture Notes: Functional Behavior Assessment and Analysis

Introduction

• Lecturers: Dr. Wayne Fuqua and Dr. Brian Iwata
• Topics: Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA)
• Importance: Understanding the functions of problem behavior for better intervention

Key Concepts

Behavior Analysis

• Problem behavior is often learned and maintained by environmental contingencies:
  • Social Positive Reinforcement: Attention or access to items
  • Social Negative Reinforcement: Escape from demands
  • Automatic Reinforcement: Behavior produces its own sensory reinforcers

Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)

• Goal: Identify what maintains problem behavior
• Conducted when behavior is dangerous or highly disruptive

Methodologies in Functional Behavior Assessment

Indirect Assessments

• Tools: Interviews, questionnaires, and rating scales
• Examples: Motivation Assessment Scale, Questions about Behavioral Function, Functional Analysis Screening Tool
• Advantages: Simple, quick, requires minimal skill
• Disadvantages: Subjective, poor reliability and validity

Descriptive Analyses

• Involves direct observation of behavior in natural environments
• Tools: A-B-C (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) records
• Advantages: Objective
• Disadvantages: Time-consuming, results can be biased, does not identify function
• Training: Observers require training to accurately record data

Functional Analysis (FA)

• Considered the "gold standard"
• Uses experimental methods to identify behavior functions by manipulating environmental conditions
• Categories: Attention, Escape, Alone (automatic reinforcement), Control (play)
• Procedure: Systematic exposure to different conditions and observation of behavior changes

Conducting Functional Analysis

• Session Details: Typically 10-15 minutes; several sessions to confirm results
• Data Interpretation: Graphing outcomes to identify patterns
• Limitations: Requires skill, time-consuming, risk in handling dangerous behaviors

Advanced Techniques and Adaptations

Brief Functional Analysis

• Shortens session time for clinical settings
• Success Rate: Interpretable data in about 50% of cases

Targeted Functional Analysis

• Tests only for suspected function, reducing assessment time

Trial-Based Functional Analysis

• Used in uncontrolled environments (e.g., classrooms)

Latency Functional Analysis

• Measures time until first occurrence of behavior, reduces risk

Treatment Implications

• Functions of behavior inform treatment strategies:
  • Reinforcement: Eliminate establishing operation, maintain or change consequences
  • Differential Reinforcement: Encourage alternative, adaptive behaviors
• Benefits: More effective, efficient, and less intrusive interventions

Conclusion

• Functional assessments produce individualized intervention plans, improving treatment efficacy.
• The aim is not just to reduce behavior but to understand and modify the environmental factors maintaining it.

Demonstration

• Example scenarios of conducting functional analysis in different conditions (attention, play, demand)

This lecture highlights the role of functional behavior analysis in understanding problem behavior and designing effective interventions.