Human behavior is as varied as the number of unique finger prints. Functional behavior assessment, also known as FBA, is an approach used to identify unique problems, especially among students. It methodically attempts to know why a person has certain behavioral tendencies and how this behavioral patters can be altered to fit societal norms and standards. Functional behavior assessment steps are systematic and should be keenly followed.
The initial objective of FBA was to help in identifying students with abnormal behavior and coming up with measures to keep the problem in check. It targeted students with intellectual disability such as those who had autism. Some of the key pointers that helped in picking them out included lagging way behind academically, poor social interaction and attention seeking behavior.
The first step in FBA is to identify the problem. The individual under study must first be accurately defined. The assessor then takes time to objectively study them in various settings and define their pattern of behavior. This may take quite sometime and one needs to be forbearing in order to come up with a detailed report. Several factors such as culture should be considered in the process.
Secondly, the assessing team gets to collect data in a bid to know more about the problem. Directly observing the individual as they go about their day is one way of collecting data. Close contacts such as teachers and fellow students can also be engaged as it may not be possible to follow up the individual in question all day. Not only does it appear inappropriate but objectivity may also be lost once the subject becomes aware that they are being followed. Common tools used in indirect assessment include questionnaires and interviews. It is more beneficial to utilize both tools as each is unique in its own way.
The third step is formulation of a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a theory that tries to explain why the person being assessed portrays a given kind of behavior. To illustrate this, a student may be performing poorly in class simply because they are not equipped with the required knowledge. One may also intentionally perform dismally as a way of seeking much needed attention.
Formulation of a hypothesis is followed by creating a plan for intervention based on the hypothesis. For the intervention plan to succeed, team co-operation is key. Every person in the team has a specific role assigned to them although some roles may overlap. Regardless of this, the overall intention is to provide overall modification of behavior.
The fifth and last step is to analyze the outcome of intervention. Just as was done in data collection, direct and indirect techniques are used as tools of analysis. The team involved in intervention needs to provide comprehensive feedback regarding the fruitfulness of the process. Outcome can also be assessed by merely observing the subject and noting any positive changes.
In a nutshell, the main steps in functional behavioral assessment include problem identification, data collection, hypothesis creation, intervention and outcome evaluation. Clearly, it is not a single day process neither is it a single person task. It takes a good amount of time and team effort to start seeing results. One has to be resourceful and objective for the process to be a success.
The initial objective of FBA was to help in identifying students with abnormal behavior and coming up with measures to keep the problem in check. It targeted students with intellectual disability such as those who had autism. Some of the key pointers that helped in picking them out included lagging way behind academically, poor social interaction and attention seeking behavior.
The first step in FBA is to identify the problem. The individual under study must first be accurately defined. The assessor then takes time to objectively study them in various settings and define their pattern of behavior. This may take quite sometime and one needs to be forbearing in order to come up with a detailed report. Several factors such as culture should be considered in the process.
Secondly, the assessing team gets to collect data in a bid to know more about the problem. Directly observing the individual as they go about their day is one way of collecting data. Close contacts such as teachers and fellow students can also be engaged as it may not be possible to follow up the individual in question all day. Not only does it appear inappropriate but objectivity may also be lost once the subject becomes aware that they are being followed. Common tools used in indirect assessment include questionnaires and interviews. It is more beneficial to utilize both tools as each is unique in its own way.
The third step is formulation of a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a theory that tries to explain why the person being assessed portrays a given kind of behavior. To illustrate this, a student may be performing poorly in class simply because they are not equipped with the required knowledge. One may also intentionally perform dismally as a way of seeking much needed attention.
Formulation of a hypothesis is followed by creating a plan for intervention based on the hypothesis. For the intervention plan to succeed, team co-operation is key. Every person in the team has a specific role assigned to them although some roles may overlap. Regardless of this, the overall intention is to provide overall modification of behavior.
The fifth and last step is to analyze the outcome of intervention. Just as was done in data collection, direct and indirect techniques are used as tools of analysis. The team involved in intervention needs to provide comprehensive feedback regarding the fruitfulness of the process. Outcome can also be assessed by merely observing the subject and noting any positive changes.
In a nutshell, the main steps in functional behavioral assessment include problem identification, data collection, hypothesis creation, intervention and outcome evaluation. Clearly, it is not a single day process neither is it a single person task. It takes a good amount of time and team effort to start seeing results. One has to be resourceful and objective for the process to be a success.
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