Reducing Behavior Problems Through Functional Communication Training

Development of an intervention is the final step in the functional behavior assessment (FBA) process. In the completion of the FBA antecedent and reinforcing contingencies are identified which can be manipulated to prevent the behavior from occurring, remove reinforcement for engaging in the undesired behavior, or be utilized to reinforce alternate behaviors (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). An FBA is a necessary component of the intervention process in that it provides the necessary information with regard to the function of the behavior through the systematic manipulation of environmental variables thought to maintain the problem under controlled conditions; yielding a clear demonstration of the interaction between the independent variable

When a student who has a disability’s educational placement is changed due to challenging behavior, a functional behavior assessment must be conducted. Functional behavior assessment (FBA) is used to aid in the development of behavior intervention plans (BIP’s). In a functional assessment, the type and the source of reinforcement for problem behaviors are used as a basis for intervention efforts that are designed to increase occurrence. Functional analysis can also be used to determine the specific function of a behavior, but FBA’s are more commonly used, especially in school settings. In a functional analysis (FA), antecedents and consequences that represent those in the person’s natural environment are arranged so that their effects on the problem behavior can be observed and measured. The difference between a functional analysis and functional behavior assessment is that the assessment establishes a connection between the behavior and antecedent or the consequent variables, but a functional analysis identifies informal relationships. For this reason, a functional analysis is seen to be a more valid tool for identifying the function of a behavior; however, there are limitations to using a functional analysis. This method may momentarily strengthen the problem behavior or result in the behavior acquiring new functions. Federal mandates like IDEA 2004 and school reforms such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) have played a role in the increase of the

Functional behavior assessments are important to teachers and students because I believe that all children behave a certain way for a reason. Children who have disabilities as well as children who do not have disabilities behave in inappropriate ways and a functional behavior assessment can help to determine why so that a plan can be developed to correct the behavior. Negative behavior is a reaction to something happening in a child's life or an imbalance in the child. A child with an imbalance will benefit from a functional behavior assessment because there is a

This report detailing issues in behavior intervention first reviews information regarding the use of functional behavior assessments and then explains intervention strategies which may be effective in dealing with behavior issues in schools. In addition, issues that impede treatment are discussed. This source appears to be objectively written with the goal to inform the reader of functional behavior assessments, treatment for problem behavior and issues which may cause treatment to fail. This source may be useful when researching Behavior Intervention Plans because team members and

Among the most widely disseminated procedures derived directly from the principles of applied behavior analysis have been those applied to the analysis and treatment of common childhood problems (e.g., Arndorfer, Allen, & Aljazireh, 1999; Schroeder & Gordon, 1991; Watson & Gresham, 1998). Applied behavior analysts have developed a countless effective interventions for common childhood problems and have repeatedly demonstrated that, even in loosely controlled applied environments, behavior often responds rather quickly to properly managed contingencies. Yet, despite these successes, some have maintained that simply providing repeated demonstrations of the effectiveness of behavioral technology eventually will yield diminishing returns to the field (Kunkel, 1987). The success of an intervention is dependent not only upon its effectiveness but also upon its precise delivery by a clinician and the consistency with which parents and staff implement that treatment with all of its essential

There are many strategies to address behavior deficits in the classroom, and each behavior requires specific and individualized attention. The two case studies (Grand Canyon University, 2016) detailing the behavior issues of Doug and Ellie are prime examples of situations in which behavior intervention is necessary. This paper will discuss the particular behaviors involved and outline explicit plans for increasing positive behavior exhibited from each child.

-Implemented applied behavioral analysis methods to help children overcome behavioral challenges and improve functional, interpersonal, and academic skills

The implications of TEC § 37.007 are apparent in school on a daily basis. Many of the students in which I serve have a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). I am required to give the general education teacher a copy of the student’s BIP prior to school starting. Last week, I had a teacher refer a child for disciplinary action. The child’s BIP required that the child use a behavior chart and a daily schedule. I provided the teacher with both of those supports which she does not consistently implement. The student struggles behaviorally due to his disability, deficits in self control, and the lack of consistent implementation of his behavior chart and visual schedule. I shared again with the teacher the importance of fully and consistently implementing the

The article “Reducing Behavior Problems Through Functional Communication Training” by Edward G. Carr and V. Mark Durand addresses the issues of choosing replacement behaviors. The research consisted of two experiments. The first experiment considered when problem behaviors are more likely to take place. The problem behaviors were aggression, tantrums, and self-injury. The results disclosed lack of adult attention and the difficultly of the task both activated behavioral problems. The second experiment used the assessment data collected from the first experiment to select a replacement behavior. The children were taught to verbally seek help, attention, or both from adults. The purpose of the study was to provide more direction when choosing a functionally appropriate replacement behavior in order to decrease inappropriate behaviors.

Functional behavioral assessment, also known as the FBA is a process for collecting information. It is the change in procedures that were originally developed to confirm the reason for misbehaviors that are displayed by students that have severe cognitive and/or communication disabilities, which include students that have a disability such as autism or ADD (attention deficit disorder). The FBA assessment process includes different uses of questionnaires, rating scales and behavior observations only when it is appropriate and it needs to be determined as to what the cause of misbehavior might be. The FBA has a variety of strategies and techniques that help during the intervention process when trying to identify the problem behavior that

Behavioral interventions can include educating the patient on organization and increased focus, and help decrease problematic behaviors. This type of treatment can be used in conjunction with medication and is beneficial in that it can help the patient continuously through their life. Behavioral therapy is not used exclusively for the patient and there is also education for the parents as well. Teaching the parents and family members’ skills on how to effectively communicate may help to improve family life. Teachers also play an important role in the child life and could also benefit from learning these skills. Teachers can help the student accomplish their school tasks by giving them positive reinforcement when they finish a task (Clay, 2013).

D.B. is a male student in seventh grade. He has displayed behavioral issues since he started at the local special education cooperative. In 2003, at the age of three months, he was referred to the Infant-Toddler Program, he was born with spina bifida. During 2008, D.B. was referred to the Behavior Assessment Intervention Team (BAIT) for observation and behavioral strategies. In the Fall of 2011, he meets criteria for Pervasive Developmental Disorder-NOS (Atypical Autism) and Disruptive Behavior Disorder. When creating instruction and assignments for D.B, movement and easy to understand instruction must be done. He receives special education services under Other Health Impaired category. He spends 300 minutes a day in the resource room receiving

Some specimens of hyperactivity the mothers can chose from include extreme running, blaring, jumping, agitation, etc. At the end of the experiment the parents will be asked to grade their children on a scale of one to ten of hyperactivity, with one being less hyper and ten being more frenzied. Lastly, the results will be put into two slabs. The first slab will be the control group with a sum of the scores from before on one side and the sum from after on the other side (the same will be done for the experimental group results). The greater the difference between the before scores and after scores will allow for a valid conclusion.

A 6-week inservice program focusing on the principles of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement was implemented. The study was designed to evaluate the use of behavior management strategies in the classroom, and positive results were found in the decrease in restraints and crisis incidents. Crisis incidents were defined as a child being required to leave the classroom because of unacceptable behavior, e.g., persistent noncompliance. As the revised treatment module began to work, community special education programs began to send students for short term diagnostic placements, and a plan is in development for "transition classrooms" intended for children who no longer need intensive treatment but are not yet ready to return to the community. Applied behavior analysis provides teachers with methods for encouraging positive behaviors and coping with undesirable ones.

While the presence of certain characteristics in children with behavioral disorders might sometimes seem discouraging but the bottom line is not to give up on any student in any case. Most of the times, children with behavioral and emotional problems might challenge a patience of teachers and cause temporary despair. In this situation, teachers require the support of others in supported students to succeed. The classroom is a learning community; therefore, it is very much significant to create a constructive atmosphere in the classroom. The successful behavior management in classroom can be improved by colleagues as well as by the family of the students. While considering the needs of students with behavioral and emotional problems, the paper aims to develop appropriate strategies for teaching students with behavioral disorders in the classroom.