Functional Behaviour Analysis Flashcards
Components of a comprehensive Functional Analysis
- Describe Problem Behaviour
- History of Problem
- Antecedent Analysis
- Consequence Analysis
- Ecological Analysis
- Analysis of Function
- Additional Assessments
- Functional Assessment Interview (FAI)
- Questions About Behaviour Function (QABF)
- Hypotheses
- FERBs
- Proactive strategies (80%)
- Reactive strategies (20%)
The Functional Behavioural Analysis Flow Chart
Describe the steps you would take to undertake a Functional Analysis
Methods of undertaking Functional Analysis
1. Narrative recording
2. Frequency and Interval Recording
3. Event Recording
4. Ratings Recording
rewards
When assesing behaviour what are the most likely functions?
Social Reward (imagine someone standing in front of crowd)
Material Tangible Reward (imagine kid wanting a toy and getting upset)
Avoid Something (imagine someone running away from something)
Sensory Need (imagine a small girl hugging a teddy)
Reduce Pain (imagine someone tsakinga coupleof neurofen)
Functional Analysis,
Positive Behaviour Support and
Applied Behaviour Analysis
FA - features in both PBS and ABA, to varying degrees. It uses data (observations, recordings and interviews, depending on the model) to answer the ‘why now’ question - FA is your formulation
PBS - broader, is values based, and focusses equally on the system and the individual
ABA - pure science based on behavioural psychology and individual only
Core Principles of Behaviour Support
Evidence-based practice
Theory-driven approach
Data-driven practice
Focus on behaviours that cause harm
ALWAYS ask yourself what the function of the behaviour is
Get behavioural control, then play the long game
You cant take a behaviour away without replacing with with something (because behaviour has a function)
Its rarely just the client with challenging behaviour that will need to change
What is Narrative Recording for FBA?
Decide number of times you will observe, length of each observation period, when you will observe, target behaviours, method of recording (e.g., audio, written)
•Anecdotal, make note of behaviours of interest, include anything that seems noteworthy. Observation
•Used to create in-depth picture of behaviour e.g., social skills
Need to differentiate between observation (e.g., slammed books on table) & inference (e.g., frustrated)
•E.g., attachment behaviour, aggression, social complying with requests
What are the advantage and disadvantages of Narrative Recording?
•Advantages:
- No equipment necessary
- Open discovery of behaviours
- Elaboration welcomed (not reductionist)
- Lots of hypotheses are generated
- Disadvantages:
- No quantification of frequency of behaviour
- Validity poor
- Observer skills important
- Writing style of observer is important
- Inter-Rater reliability poor
What is interval/frequency recording?
•Focus on behaviours as they occur within specified time intervals.
e.g., frequency observations over a period 15 mins, divided into brief intervals (e.g., 5-30 secs – does the behaviour occur?)
- interval, partial, whole and momentary time sampling of behaviour
- Used more often in research or clinical /controlled settings
- Measures the presence (even if partial) or absence of the behaviour in each interval
- Useful for behaviours that don’t always have a clear beginning & end & which occur frequently (every 15-20 secs)
E.g., reading, sitting, conversational behaviours, facial expressions, playing with toys
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Frequency/Interval Recording?
Advantages:
- Time efficient
- Highly focused on specific behaviours
- Inclusive i.e., all behaviours are recorded this way
Disadvantages:
- Limited time span does not allow for enquiry into the quality of behaviour
- Other important behaviours can be missed
- Hit and miss tool
- i.e., it relies on the behaviour actually occurring in the time interval you have set
- Not suitable for recording intensity of behaviour
- Imposes artificial frame on behaviour (i.e., the interval observed, rather than the behaviour itself)
Ratings Recording
Rate behaviour on a scale or checklist, usually at end of observation period (0-10, 1-5)
Observer needs to note behaviour occurring & evaluate the degree to which the attribute being rated is present (e.g., aggressive behaviour)
Used for more global aspects of behaviour & for quantifying impressions - those that are difficult to measure precisely (i.e., Quality of behaviour measured)
•E.g., cooperation (highly – uncooperative), sharing toys (always – never)
Provides a common frame of reference for comparing individuals
Statistical analyses of data possible
Issue is differences between observers in their interpretation of rating points on the scale →potentially low inter-rater reliability
No frequency, duration, antecedent info
What are the steps to undertake a comprehensive Functional Behaviour Analysis?
STEP 1
Background - predisposing factors that limit coping
Challenging Behaviour - that has a function
- Event Recording
- Structured Measures
- Structured Observation
STEP 2
Functionally Equivalent Replacement Behaviour
STEP 3
Train staff & Train FERB
STEP 4
Reinforce
