Practitioner’s Guide to Functional Behavioral Assessment

Process, Purpose, Planning, and Prevention

Stephanie M. Hadaway 

Alan W. Brue

pages 99-120

purpose：analysis of the data

data analysis involves looking critically at all of the information gathered,it is a detail-oriented task requires organization and reflection,analysis ushers the practitioner forward into the development of the hypothesis statement.if the data analysis is weak,the hypothesis will be weak.

there are two different types of data,quantitative data and qualitative data

quantitative data is the information that uses numbers,it relies on precise measurement and is objective

qualitative data is the information that is derived from interviews or reviewing someone's anecdotal notes,it can sometimes be open-ended,and it is subjective

the goal of FBA is to understand the purpose of a respondent's behavior

data analysis is the process of synthesizing all the information you have gathered,all of the components that we have mentioned-records,interviews, assessments,and direct observation-are offering you information that point to the function of the student's behavior

organize data

creating a data analysis worksheet,the data analysis worksheet serves three vital functions,first,it allows you to take lengthy interview forms,records notes,and questionnaires and reduce this to a uniformed format.second,the data analysis worksheet allows you to pull out the pertinent information and highlight areas needed for analysis,third,the form guides you through the process.

link data

in data analysis,we are looking to find the patterns or trends in the information we have gathered.

see all the information at one time

descriptive analysis

descriptive data gives the practitioner a means to document the demonstration of the challenging,problematic,or interfering behavior and contextual factors (antecedents,consequences)and allow for a measure of magnitude,such as frequency or duration.

graphing

graphing is the process of using a visual to show relationships,bar graphs or line graphs are the easiest way to demonstrate multiple data sources side by side,the goal of graphing is to give you a straightfoward picture of the information you have gathered.

organization

source,there are multiple source of information:records,informal assessments, interviews with caregiver and staff,and direct observation

target behavior,the target behavior is the action or act that is interfering with the student's success

characteristics of target behavior,are the behaviors atypical,inappropriate, interfering,uncontrolled,and/or dangerous?

absolutes,if there is a person,time,circumstance,and/or situation present always and/or never when the behavior occurs?

setting events,it is the characteristics-either biological,cultural,medical,or involving a life-event-that impact the student and possibly the target behavior

contextual factors,this is the who,what,where,and when of the behavior

antecedent,this is what happens before the target behavior

consequence,this is what happens after the target behavior occurs

to access,avoid/escape,communication or gain/obtain

function

it is so important to analyze your data with objectivity,if you have an observation where things do not line up with previous data,ask yourself,what is different about today?who is present?what is happening?how are staff and peers responding to the student?

purpose:development of hypotheses

the culmination of functional behavioral assessment is the identification of the target behavior's function

characteristics of an effective hypothesis

accurate,accurate data,accurate analysis,and an accurate statement

clear,the hypothesis statement should adress the target behavior,be certain to clarify which target behavior is being addressed,the hypothesis statement is also identifying the contextual factors involved in maintaining the target behavior

concise,the hypothesis statement should be concise

easy to understand,the hypothesis statement should be understandable for every user.

____________ (Insert student name)’s ____________ (behavior) is maintained by her need to __________ (avoid/escape, communicate, gain/obtain or access) _____________ (insert: attention, work, place, item, person, communication need, tangible or social dynamic word).