Keywords

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Functional assessment has become a heavily studied and frequently used method in the field of applied behavior analysis. The literature as a result has grown rapidly, and thus, a volume on the topic is timely. This book consists of chapters that cover the major issues in the field. The book begins with a historical overview that highlights the roots of functional assessment in the beginning of applied behavior analysis and the focus on antecedent events. Since functional assessment is used primarily for challenging behaviors such as self-injury and aggression, three chapters are devoted to the nature, prevalence, characteristics, and functions of these behaviors. Also, the populations studied and most likely to benefit from these interventions are discussed at length.

The second section of the book is a review of specific methods and procedures that are routinely used in a functional assessment. Methods of defining and observing behaviors are the first building blocks in functional assessment and thus constitute the first chapter in this section. This section is followed by four chapters on specific methods of assessment. These methods include interviews, observations, experimental functional analysis, in vivo assessment, and different scaling methods. The third and final section is comprised of four chapters. These include practical considerations such as treatment methods and planning, methods and procedures to clarify ambiguous functional assessment results, and ethical considerations.

The overall purpose of our book is to provide an up-to-date resource for clinicians and researchers, covering all the major issues on functional assessment. The book should serve as a reference and hopefully a guide for persons working in the field of applied behavior analysis.