Conducting Functional Assessment of Behavior

In this assignment, you will identify a behavior that requires defining and study by conducting research on the behavior’s antecedents and consequences.

• Create a three-page paper (not including the title and references pages) in Word document for your response.

• Use APA format for the title page, references page, and in-text citations.

• Develop an introduction and conclusion for the paper.

• Follow the directions to submit your final Word document.

Part 1: Functional Behavior Assessment Interviews

In Part 1, you will complete two functional behavior assessment interviews to research behaviors, their antecedents and consequences.

• Select two individuals who work with a student(s) in your class or a program you are observing.

• Schedule interviews with the two individuals.

• Use the following questions from the Functional Behavior Assessment Interview Guide to conduct the interviews:

• Describe any behaviors the student(s) exhibit throughout the day of concern to you.
• Of those behaviors, which is the one that concerns you the most and why?
• How often does the behavior occur? How long does it last?
• How would you measure the behavior?
• What is happening during the day when the behavior is most likely to occur?
• When is the behavior absent? What is happening during the day when the behavior is not occurring?
• With whom is the behavior most/least likely to occur?
• What triggers the behavior?
• How can you tell the behavior has been triggered?
• What usually happens after the behavior? Does the student(s) receive attention from adults or peers when the behavior occurs or just after the behavior?
• What is the likely function (intent) of the behavior? What does the student(s) get as a result of the behavior, or what is avoided by the behavior?
• What are some acceptable behaviors that could occur instead of this troubling behavior?

• Summarize the findings from each interview, and analyze the results.

Part 2: Identification of a Target Behavior and Intervention

• From the analysis, identify and define a target behavior in which to intervene.

• From best practice literature, determine an intervention appropriate to the behavior.

• Analyze the advantages of the intervention for this behavior, including a decision about whether it will lead to greater access to learning experiences for the student(s). As appropriate to the product required in the assignments, uses these guidelines:

• Follow APA 6th edition.

• Use 11-point Arial or 12-point Times New Roman font.