Understanding human behaviour, especially when it is challenging or problematic (challenging behaviour), can be a complex process. This is where a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) comes into play.
It's a strategy used by professionals in psychology, education, and behavioural therapy to understand the ‘why' behind certain challenging behaviours. Let's delve into what a functional behaviour assessment is, its process, and why it is a crucial tool in various settings.
In the United States, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) provides a description of a Functional Behaviour Assessment:
Functional behavioral assessment (FBA) is used to understand the function and purpose of a child’s specific, interfering behavior and factors that contribute to the behavior’s occurrence and non-occurrence for the purpose of developing effective positive behavioral interventions, supports, and other strategies to mitigate or eliminate the interfering behavior.
Source: Using Functional Behavioural Assessments to Create Supportive Learning Environments
Unraveling the ‘Why’ Behind Behaviour
At its core, an FBA is a systematic method for collecting information about a person's challenging behaviour and the environment in which it occurs. The goal is to identify the purpose or function of specific challenging behaviour, particularly those that are disruptive or harmful. This understanding is key to developing strategies to modify such problem behaviour effectively such as a positive behaviour support plan.
The Process of a Functional Behaviour Assessment
The functional behaviour assessment typically involves seven steps.
Read next: Seven Steps of Functional Behaviour Assessment (a detailed look at these seven steps).
1. Identify the behaviour of concern: It starts with clearly defining the student behaviour of concern. This behaviour must be observable and measurable.
2. Gather information: Next, data is collected through various means such as interviews, direct observations, and reviewing past records. This helps in understanding the circumstances under which the behaviour occurs.
3. Analyse the data: The collected information is analysed to identify patterns and triggers for the behaviour.
4. Formulate a hypothesis: Based on the analysis, a hypothesis is developed regarding the function of the behaviour.
5. Develop a Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PSB) / Intervention: Strategies are created to address or influence behaviour, considering the hypothesised function.
6. Implement the intervention: The PSB is put into practice.
7. Monitor and Evaluate: The effectiveness of the FBA is monitored and evaluated.
Why Are FBAs Used?
FBAs are particularly beneficial in several contexts:
Educational settings: For students with behavioural challenges or special needs, FBAs help in creating personalised interventions. This aids in better learning and social integration.
Clinical and mental health Services: They assist in understanding challenging behaviour related to various mental health conditions, leading to more effective treatment plans.
Workplaces and organisations: Functional behaviour assessment can be used to address issues like workplace conflicts or productivity challenges.
Forensic settings: They help in understanding the behaviour of individuals within the criminal justice system, contributing to rehabilitation and risk management strategies.
The Benefits of FBAs
Targeted Interventions:
A functional behaviour assessment can lead to more effective behaviour management and appropriate behaviour as interventions are based on the specific reasons behind a behaviour.
Prevention Focus:
They help in identifying and modifying the factors that trigger behaviours of concern, thus preventing their occurrence.
Improving Quality of Life:
For individuals with behaviour challenges, FBAs can significantly improve their quality of life by helping them develop more appropriate behaviour.
Empowering Stakeholders:
FBAs involve collaborating with those who interact with the individual, such as family, teachers, or therapists, empowering them to be part of the solution at home or in a learning environment.
Collaboration between parents, care givers and educators during functional behaviour assessment
Critical to positive behaviour support of any kind is the collaboration among a variety of team members involved in the functional behaviour assessment. They could be teachers, parents, disabled people, allied health professionals or disability services. During a functional assessment, work together on a consistent basis to document the observations and synthesise the results.
The FBA results in an individual behaviour support plan to support transition to more appropriate behaviour and a reduction in problem behaviour. As interventions developed by the team are implemented, the collaboration between school staff, teacher, parents, care givers and even other students is essential.
How do functional behaviour assessments work for individuals with disabilities or behavioural conditions?
Behavioural conditions or disorders are patterns of behaviour that are disruptive, harmful, or inappropriate for an individual's age and developmental stage. These disorders often impair daily functioning and can affect a person’s ability to form relationships, succeed in school or work, and maintain overall mental health. For example, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder.
Individuals with disabilities are more likely to exhibit behvaiours of concern compared to the general population. This increased prevalence can be attributed to a variety of factors including communication difficulties, sensory processing issues, medical conditions, and social or environmental factors. The prevalence rates can vary widely based on the type of disability, the specific behaviours considered challenging, and the context in which these behaviours are observed.
Functional Behaviour Assessments (FBAs) are particularly beneficial for individuals with disabilities or behavioural conditions. These assessments help in developing a deep understanding of the underlying reasons behind challenging behaviours, providing a foundation for creating effective and personalised intervention strategies.
Understanding and Addressing Behaviour
FBAs help individuals with emotional and behavioural problems by uncovering the root causes of their behaviours. This process involves:
Identifying Triggers:
Recognising specific situations or stimuli that provoke challenging behaviours.
Understanding Consequences:
Observing what happens after the behaviour occurs, which helps in understanding the reinforcement or deterrents in play.
Creating Positive Behaviour Support Plans (PBSBs)
Once the reasons behind the behaviours are understood, this knowledge is used to create Positive Behaviour Support Plans (PBSBs). These plans are tailored to the individual's needs and focus on:
Developing New Skills:
Teaching alternative behaviours that fulfill the same need as the challenging behaviour but in a more acceptable manner.
Modifying the Environment:
Adjusting the surroundings to reduce or eliminate triggers and make it easier for the individual to exhibit positive behaviour.
Providing Support:
Offering the necessary support to the individual to help them manage their behaviour effectively.
Personalised and Individualised Results
The outcomes of an FBA are highly personalised, helping to:
Enhance Communication:
Understanding an individual's unique way of expressing needs and wants, which can often be misinterpreted as challenging behaviour.
Identify Specific Needs:
Pinpointing the exact areas where support is needed, whether it is in social skills, emotional regulation, or sensory processing.
Improving Behaviour and Quality of Life
By addressing the specific causes of behaviour change, FBAs contribute to:
Behavioural Improvement:
Helping individuals develop Functionally Equivalent Replacement Behaviours (FERBs) and contextually appropriate behaviours through targeted interventions.
Enhanced Quality of Life:
Reducing challenging behaviours leads to a more positive and fulfilling life for the individual, improving their interactions and relationships.
Conclusion
A Functional Behaviour Assessment is a powerful tool in understanding and addressing behaviours that are challenging or problematic. By identifying the reasons behind a behaviour, FBAs pave the way for interventions that are not only effective but also respectful of the individual’s needs. Whether in schools, clinical settings, or workplaces, FBAs offer a structured approach to improving behaviours and enhancing overall well-being.