FBA

The current video by St. Claire County RESA discussed how to conduct a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA).  In working with children with autism, I feel that an FBA is a very important assessment in determining the function of a behavior.  A hypothesis is a useful tool to lead professionals to a potential function of the behavior and possible directions to take in decreasing it.  FBAs also can include many other direct and indirect assessments to help in the process.  The FBA is a very important assessment in determining a function of behaviors.  The student input is another very important piece in the FBA process.

The FBA shown in the video was very organized and separated nicely into understandable sections.  This helps those professionals that do not conduct them often learn the process.  It was well stated in the video of the importance when looking at a behavior it needs to be observable and measurable.  The person filling out the form needs to be as specific as possible when describing the antecedents, behaviors and consequences.  The more specific a person is the easier it will be to determine the functions of the problem behavior.  Problem behavior is usually maintained by the child or individual accessing a tangible or avoiding/escaping an event.  Another important point made in the video was that the problem behavior must be replaced with a more appropriate behavior. 

I thought another important segment in the video was that after the function of the behavior has been determined, it needs to be replaced with a more appropriate behavior.  If the problem behavior is not replaced with a more appropriate behavior then there is a possibility that the individual will develop another problem behavior to serve the same function.  I feel that if there FBAs are being conducted; the professional conducting them should have some background experience in assessing behaviors to gain the most and correct information.