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.
Knowing the exact problem at hand is the very first step in this process. It takes time and objectivity to know that the subject is exposed to different environments including culture, politics and religion among other factors. The assessor therefore needs to combine all these factors to come up with a pattern of behavior.
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.
Thirdly, the FBA team needs to formulate a hypothesis. The hypothesis seeks to explain the occurrence of certain habits by assessing function, skill deficit and performance. For instance, if evaluating an employee at work, one may want to find out if they are satisfied with the pay they get, their relationship with workmates and whether they are having any issues at home. In addition, one needs to find out whether the employee is passionate at their job and whether they have the necessary skills.
The fourth step entails coming up with an intervention plan which aims at modifying or changing the behavior of the individual in entirety. It incorporates people who directly affect the life of the subject. In the employee example, several categories of people need to be brought in to ensure the plan is fully implemented. If the subject is a student, it may involve their teacher, friend, caretaker and sibling among other relevant groups.
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.
Knowing the exact problem at hand is the very first step in this process. It takes time and objectivity to know that the subject is exposed to different environments including culture, politics and religion among other factors. The assessor therefore needs to combine all these factors to come up with a pattern of behavior.
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.
Thirdly, the FBA team needs to formulate a hypothesis. The hypothesis seeks to explain the occurrence of certain habits by assessing function, skill deficit and performance. For instance, if evaluating an employee at work, one may want to find out if they are satisfied with the pay they get, their relationship with workmates and whether they are having any issues at home. In addition, one needs to find out whether the employee is passionate at their job and whether they have the necessary skills.
The fourth step entails coming up with an intervention plan which aims at modifying or changing the behavior of the individual in entirety. It incorporates people who directly affect the life of the subject. In the employee example, several categories of people need to be brought in to ensure the plan is fully implemented. If the subject is a student, it may involve their teacher, friend, caretaker and sibling among other relevant groups.
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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