-FBA is the process of gathering and analyzing information about the student's behavior and accompanying circumstances in order to determine the purpose or intent of the actions.

-FBA was designed to help us:
     -determine the appropriateness of placement and services
     -identify positive interventions to reduce the undesirable behavior
     -develop appropriate behaviors to be substituted in replacement of the
            inappropriate ones.

-FBA is based upon the following assumptions:
      -challenging behaviors do not occur in a vacuum
      -behaviors occur in response to an identifiable stimuli
      -behaviors are governed by the consequences that follow them
      -behavior is a form of communication (we just need to figure out what it says...
            "I am tired.", "I am bored.", "I'm still upset at what happened earlier", etc.)
      -"misbehavior" may actually be adaptive given the circumstances (e.g., "My teacher
            is a ineffective manager of student behavior.  S/he can't protect me from the thugs
            in my class.  I better misbehave so that the aggressive kids like me and won't
            victimize me.")
      -behaviors serve a function & have a purpose, usually:
              -to get something (e.g., attention, money, good grades)
              -to avoid/escape something (e.g., punishment, embarrassment)

-The technology for determining the purpose of behaviors has been around and has research support*, but FBA is complicated and time consuming in nature.  Costs vs. benefits are questionable.

* The research available when the U.S. law was passed had been conducted mostly by professors and their six graduate assistants with severely impaired preschoolers and adults.  It was never (as of the year 2001) conducted with the kids for who it will now be used.  It hadn't been conducted by the professionals now required to implement it.  The process often takes up to six weeks, but now it might have to be done in 10 days or less.
   It will be interesting to see how things work out over the years.
 
 

-An FBA must be conducted:
     -if behavioral concerns are present (according to many scholars in education law)
        (New York State recommends FBA as part of pre-referral and referral activities
        and IEP development, review, and revision for misbehaving students.  It should
        be part of an on-going program, not used merely an isolated practice for severe
        school code violations.)
    - within 10 days of an offense punishable by:
        -suspension
        -removal to an IAES (Interim Alternative Educational Setting...a place where kids who have broken the law or been aggressive can be sent for up to 40 days -- with services maintained and issues that led to removal addressed)
 
 

Stage 1 - Hypothesis Development

        1. Identify the behavior & define it in terms that are:
             -specific
             -observable
             -measurable  (see the home page link on "Behavioral Recording" or Activity #1
                                            of "DRO" for explanation and practice)
 
 

    2. Identify:
         -times when student is:
              -most likely to engage in the behavior
              -least likely to engage in the behavior

     -factors or events that seem to contribute to student's problem behavior
          -specific immediate events/triggers (the stimulus that sparked the behavior)
          -"setting events" (events that happened a while ago, but lowered the student's
                ability to handle the situation...e.g. missing the bus, being threatened on the way to school)
 

Accomplish #2 by doing the following:

a. Interview knowledgeable individuals about events and circumstances associated with:
       -occurrences
       -non-occurrences
 

b. Conduct systematic direct observations in natural settings
            (guided by an analysis of the indirect information)
      -behavioral recording
      -frequency recording
      -duration/momentary time sampling
            (see the page on behavioral recording for information on these practices)
      -scatterplots

Click here to see an example of a scatterplot

      -A-B-C sequencing (listing the antecedent/stimulus, behavior/action, and consequences)
            (For more information, see the link on "Figuring out why kids misbehave")
      -running logs (continuous commentary on events)
 
 

  3. Analyze the information, looking for patterns & indications, and develop hypotheses
                   (global & specific) regarding the:
       -behavior's function/purpose
       -factors (immediate & setting) affecting the behavior
       -physical environment variables
       -curriculum, instruction & work demands
       -social interactions & individuals involved
       -biological contributors
       -state of mind/emotional influences
 

*Now place the hypotheses in writing:
     -Describe the relationship between the behavior and the environment
     -Defend the hypotheses with a description of  the data that support them
 

There are two types of logical explanations or hypotheses:
      -specific
      -global
 

Specific hypotheses attempt to:
     - explain the function or purpose of the undesireable behavior
     -identify the fast and slow triggers (i.e., antecedents and setting events)
 

Global hypotheses derive from the information gained during the FBA that provides us with a greater understanding of the student and the complexity of his/her situation.  These global guesses influence short & long term prevention/remediation efforts.  We look at the broad influences in his/her life that may effect programming and it's success.
     -skills/talents
     -health (physical and emotional)
     -preferences/likes and dislikes
     -daily routines
     -relationships with others in his/her life
     -general quality of life
 
 
 

Stage 2 - Hypothesis Testing(optional and questionable)

4. Conduct experiments. Verify/revise the hypotheses (regarding which variables
             maintain the undesirable behavior) by manipulating circumstances & events:
                  -present different degrees and types of the hypothetical stimulus
                  -prevent the occurrence of the hypothetical stimulus
                  -present other stimuli that might have an effect on the behavior
                  -promote the demonstration of a new, replacement behavior that would
                    supposedly meet the student's needs as well as the inappropriate behavior
 
 
 

Stage 3 - Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP)(based on stages 1 & 2)

5. Develop a realistic plan of action in the BIP:
         -set goals and objectives
         -describe direct interventions
         -prescribed responses to displays of problem behaviors
         -list replacement behaviors and how they will be taught
         -note changes in services
         -note changes in placement
 
 
 

 Stage 4 - Implementation of the Plan

6. Teach positive (or less negative) alternative behaviors that will serve the
            same purpose(s) as the inappropriate behaviors, and promote their use.

7. Modify events/circumstances associated with problem behaviors so that
            inappropriate behaviors are no longer prompted or rewarded.
 
 
 

Resources

For more information on conducting a functional behavior assessment (and a free videotape on how to conduct an FBA), log onto:
http://cecp.air.org/fba/default.htm
OR
http://cecp.air.org/fba/problembehavior/main.htm

Mary McConnell (2001) Functional behavioral assessment.  Denver: Love Publishing Co.  (Provides a step by step procedure complete with forms.)

Sheldon Braaten (19**). Behavioral objective sequence (assesses competencies of with EBD and provides appropriate behavioral objectives).  Available from www.Attainment company.com  or 800/651-0954.

http://204.98.1.2/sped/functanal.html     Provides steps for conducting an FBA
 
 

Hey!    Why don't we do a functional behavior assessment on mean teachers?  We could figure out why they're doing bad things to kids and help them change for the better!   Wouldn't it be great if all kids got to witness a teacher who looked like s/he would rather be in the classroom with them then any other place?   Wouldn't it be great to see more teachers who appeared really excited about teaching?
 
 

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Why does he always do that?  What is the purpose of the puppy's behavior?