Abstract
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at an increased risk for severe problem behavior such as self-injury, aggression, disruption, and stereotypy. Thus, problem behavior exhibited by individuals with IDD is of significant concern because it poses challenges to habilitation programs for these individuals and also because the behavior may jeopardize the health and safety of the individual or others. Functional behavior assessment (FBA) has become the dominant approach to assessment and treatment of problem behavior. Although several formal methods of FBA exist, this chapter focuses on the experimental method or functional analysis (FA), explains the FA approach to assessment, describes the essential features of conducting the “typical” FA, and offers suggestions for procedural modifications to typical FA methodology that may be required under certain circumstances.
Keywords
- Problem Behavior
- Automatic Reinforcement
- Severe Problem Behavior
- Descriptive Assessment
- Social Positive Reinforcement
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsNotes
- 1.
Here, “experimental” does not refer to the level of empirical support for these procedures; rather, that behavior is directly manipulated in a scientific manner.
- 2.
A detailed review of the results of the past three decades of FA research is beyond the scope of this chapter; for a more comprehensive review, see Hanley et al. (2003).
- 3.
Although the mechanism of maintenance for behavior that occurs in the alone condition may be debated (e.g., Lewis, Baumeister, & Mailman, 1987), this definition of automatic reinforcement has been generally accepted for practical assessment and treatment reasons.
References
Ahearn, W. H., Clark, K. M., & MacDonal, R. P. F. (2007). Assessing and treating vocal stereotypy in children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 263–275.
Asmus, J. M., Franzese, J. C., Conroy, M. A., & Dozier, C. L. (2003). Clarifying functional analysis outcomes for disruptive behaviors by controlling consequence delivery for stereotypy. School Psychology Review, 32, 624–630.
Bailey, J. S., & Pyles, D. A. M. (1989). Behavioral diagnostics. In E. Cipani (Ed.), The treatment of severe behavior disorders: Behavior analysis approach (pp. 85–107). Washington, DC: American Association on Mental Retardation.
Baker, J. C., Hanley, G. P., & Mathews, R. M. (2006). Staff-administered functional analysis and treatment of aggression by an elder with dementia. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 39, 469–474.
Barlow, D. H., & Hayes, S. C. (1979). Alternating treatments design: One strategy for comparing the effects of two treatments in a single subject. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 12, 199–210.
Barretto, A., Wacker, D. P., Harding, J., Lee, J., & Berg, W. K. (2006). Using telemedicine to conduct behavioral assessments. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 39, 333–340.
Beavers, G. A., & Iwata, B. A. (2011). Prevalence of multiply controlled problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 593–597.
Behavior Analysis Certification Board Website. http://www.bacb.com Accessed 09 Feb 2013.
Betz, A. M., & Fisher, W. W. (2011). Functional analysis: History and methods. In W. W. Fisher, C. C. Piazza, & H. S. Roane (Eds.), Handbook of applied behavior analysis. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Bijou, S. W., Peterson, R. F., & Ault, M. H. (1968). A method to integrate descriptive and experimental field studies at the level of data and empirical concepts. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 175–191.
Bloom, S. E., Iwata, B. A., Fritz, J. N., Roscoe, E. M., & Carreau, A. B. (2008). Classroom application of a trial-based functional analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 19–31.
Borrero, C. S. W., & Borrero, J. C. (2008). Descriptive and experimental analyses of potential precursors to problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 41, 83–96.
Borrero, C. S. W., & Vollmer, T. R. (2006). Experimental analysis of multiply controlled problem behavior: A systematic replication and extension. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 39, 375–379.
Borrero, C. S. W., Vollmer, T. R., & Borrero, J. C. (2004). Combining descriptive and functional analysis logic to evaluate idiosyncratic variables maintaining aggression. Behavioral Interventions, 19, 247–262.
Borrero, J. C., Vollmer, T. R., Wright, C. S., Lerman, D. C., & Kelley, M. E. (2002). Further evaluation of the role of protective equipment in the functional analysis of self-injurious behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 35, 69–72.
Bowman, L. G., Fisher, W. W., Thompson, R. H., & Piazza, C. C. (1997). On the relation of mands and the function of destructive behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 30, 251–265.
Brossart, D. F., Parker, R. I., Olson, E. A., & Mahadevan, L. (2006). The relationship between visual analysis and five statistical analyses in a simple AB single-case research design. Behavior Modification, 30, 531–563.
Broussard, C. D., & Northup, J. (1995). An approach to functional assessment and analysis of disruptive behavior in regular education classrooms. School Psychology Quarterly, 10, 151–164.
Call, N. A., Pabico, R. S., & Lomas, J. E. (2009). Use of latency to problem behavior to evaluate demands for inclusion in functional analyses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 723–728.
Call, N. A., Wacker, D. P., Ringdahl, J. E., & Boelter, E. W. (2005). Combined antecedent variables as motivating operations within functional analyses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 38, 385–389.
Camp, E. M., Iwata, B. A., Hammond, J. L., & Bloom, S. E. (2009). Antecedent versus consequent events as predictors of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 469–483.
Carr, E. G., Robinson, S., & Palumbo, L. W. (1990). The wrong issue: Aversive versus nonaversive treatment. The right issue: Functional versus nonfunctional treatment. In A. Repp & N. Singh (Eds.), Perspectives on the use of nonaversive and aversive interventions for persons with developmental disabilities (pp. 361–379). Sycamore, IL: Sycamore Publishing Company.
Carter, S. L. (2005). An empirical analysis of the effects of a possible sinus infection and weighted vest on functional analysis outcomes of self-injury exhibited by a child with autism. Journal of Early and Intensive Behavior Intervention, 2, 252–258.
Condillac, R. A. (2007). Behavioral intervention and intellectual disabilities. In I. Brown & M. Percy (Eds.), A comprehensive guide to intellectual and developmental disabilities (pp. 363–372). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company.
Conners, J., Iwata, B. A., Kahng, S., Hanley, G. P., Worsdell, A. S., & Thompson, R. H. (2000). Differential responding in the presence and absence of discriminative stimuli during multielement functional analyses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 299–308.
Contrucci-Kuhn, S. A., & Triggs, M. (2009). Analysis of social variables when an initial functional analysis indicates automatic reinforcement as the maintaining variable for self-injurious behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 679–683.
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2007). Applied behavior analysis. New York: Macmillan.
Day, H. M., Horner, R. H., & O’Neill, R. E. (1994). Multiple functions of problem behaviors: Assessment and treatment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27, 279–289.
DeLeon, I. G., Kahng, S. W., Rodriguez-Catter, V., Ingibjorg, S., & Sadler, C. (2003). Assessment of aberrant behavior maintained by wheelchair movement in a child with developmental disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 24, 381–390.
Derby, K. M., Wacker, D. P., Peck, S., Sasso, G., DeRaad, A., Berg, W., et al. (1994). Functional analysis of separate topographies of aberrant behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27, 267–278.
Derby, K. M., Wacker, D. P., Sasso, G., Steege, M., Northup, J., Cigrand, K., et al. (1992). Brief functional assessment techniques to evaluate aberrant behavior in an outpatient setting: A summary of 79 cases. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 25, 713–721.
Didden, R., Duker, P. C., & Korzilius, H. (1997). Meta-analytic study on the treatment effectiveness for problem behaviors with individuals with mental retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 101, 387–399.
Durand, V. M., & Crimmins, D. B. (1988). Identifying the variables maintaining self-injurious behavior. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 18, 99–117.
English, C. L., & Anderson, C. M. (2004). Effects of familiar versus unfamiliar therapists on responding in the analog functional analysis. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 25, 39–55.
Fisher, W. W., Lindauer, S. E., Alterson, C. J., & Thompson, R. H. (1998). Assessment and treatment of destructive behavior maintained by stereotypic object manipulation. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31, 513–527.
Fisher, W. W., Ninness, H. A. C., Piazza, C. C., & Owen-DeSchryver, J. S. (1996). On the reinforcing effects of the content of verbal attention. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 29, 235–238.
Flood, W. A., Wilder, D. A., Flood, A. L., & Masuda, A. (2002). Peer-mediated reinforcement plus prompting as treatment for off-task behavior in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 35, 199–204.
Frieder, J. E., Peterson, S. M., Woodward, J., Crane, J., & Garner, M. (2009). Teleconsultation in school settings: Linking classroom teachers and behavior analysts through web-based technology. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2, 32–39.
Fritz, J. N., Iwata, B. A., Hammond, J. L., & Bloom, S. E. (2008, July). Empirical analysis of precursors to problem behavior. Paper presented at the meeting of the Psychological Society of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Gresham, F. M., Quinn, M., & Restori, A. (1998). Methodological issues in functional analysis: Generalizability to other disability groups. Behavioral Disorders, 24, 180–182.
Hagopian, L. P., Fisher, W. W., Thompson, R. H., Owen-DeSchryver, J., Iwata, B. A., & Wacker, D. P. (1997). Toward the development of structured criteria for interpretation of functional analysis data. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 30, 313–326.
Hagopian, L. P., Rooker, G. W., Jessel, J., & Deleon, I. G. (in press). Initial functional analyses outcomes and modifications in pursuit of differentiation: A summary of 176 inpatient cases. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Hagopian, L. P., Wilson, D. M., & Wilder, D. A. (2001). Assessment and treatment of problem behavior maintained by escape from attention and access to tangible items. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34, 229–232.
Hammond, J. L., Iwata, B. A., Rooker, G. W., Fritze, J. N., & Bloom, S. E. (in press). Effects of fixed versus random sequencing during multielement functional analyses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Hanley, G. P. (2010a). Prevention and treatment of severe problem behavior. In E. Mayville & J. Mulick (Eds.), Behavioral foundations of autism intervention. New York: Sloman Publishing.
Hanley, G. P. (2010b). Functional analysis. In J. K. Luiselli (Ed.), Teaching and behavior support for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders: A “how to” practitioners guide. New York: Oxford University Press.
Hanley, G. P., Heal, N. A., Tiger, J. H., & Invarsson, E. T. (2007). Evaluation of a classwide teaching program for developing preschool life skills. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 277–300.
Hanley, G. P., Iwata, B. A., & McCord, B. E. (2003). Functional analysis of problem behavior: A review. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36, 147–186.
Harris, S. L., & Glasberg, B. A. (2007). Functional behavior assessment in practice: Concepts and applications. In J. W. Jacobson, J. A. Mulick, & J. Rojahn (Eds.), Issues in clinical child psychology: Handbook of intellectual and developmental disabilities (pp. 317–332). New York: Springer.
Hausman, N., Kahng, S. W., Farrell, E., & Mongeon, C. (2009). Idiosyncratic functions: Severe problem behavior maintained by access to ritualistic behaviors. Education and Treatment of Children, 32, 77–87.
Hayes, S. C., & Follette, W. C. (1993). The challenge faced by behavioral assessment. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 9, 182–188.
Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, Pub. L. No. 108-446; 20 U.S.C. §§ 1401 et seq.
Iwata, B. A., & Deleon, I. G. (1996). Functional analysis screening tool (FAST). Gainesville: Florida Center for Self-Injury, University of Florida.
Iwata, B. A., Dorsey, M. F., Slifer, K. J., Bauman, K. E., & Richman, G. S. (1994). Toward a functional analysis of self-injury. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27, 197–209. (Reprinted from Analysis and Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 2, 3–20, 1982).
Iwata, B. A., & Dozier, C. L. (2008). Clinical application of functional analysis methodology. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1, 3–15.
Iwata, B. A., Duncan, B. A., Zarcone, J. R., Lerman, D. C., & Shore, B. (1994). A sequential, test-control methodology for conducting functional analyses of self-injurious behavior. Behavior Modification, 18, 289–306.
Iwata, B. A., Kahng, S., Wallace, M. D., & Lindberg, J. S. (2000). The functional analysis model of behavioral assessment. In J. Austin & J. E. Carr (Eds.), Handbook of applied behavior analysis (pp. 61–89). Reno, NV: Context Press.
Iwata, B. A., Pace, G. M., Dorsey, M. F., Zarcone, J. R., Vollmer, T. R., Smith, R. G., et al. (1994). The functions of self-injurious behavior: An experimental-epidemiological analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27, 215–240.
Iwata, B. A., Wallace, M. D., Kahng, S., Lindberg, J. S., Roscoe, E. M., Conners, J., et al. (2000). Skill acquisition in the implementation of functional analysis methodology. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 181–194.
Jones, K. M., Drew, H. A., & Weber, N. L. (2000). Noncontingent peer attention as treatment for disruptive classroom behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 343–346.
Kahng, S., Abt, K. A., & Schonbachler, H. E. (2001). Assessment and treatment of low-rate high-intensity problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34, 225–228.
Kahng, S. W., Iwata, B. A., & Lewin, A. B. (2002). The impact of functional assessment on the treatment of self-injurious behavior. In S. Schroeder, M. Oster-Granite, & T. Thompson (Eds.), Self-injurious behavior: Gene-brain-behavior relationships (pp. 119–131). Washington: American Psychological Association.
Kennedy, C. H., & Meyer, K. A. (1996). Sleep deprivation, allergy symptoms, and negatively reinforced problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 29, 133–135.
Kodak, T., Northup, J., & Kelley, M. A. (2007). An evaluation of the types of attention that maintain problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 167–171.
Kuhn, S. A. C., Lerman, D. C., & Vorndran, C. M. (2003). Pyramidal training for families of children with problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36, 77–88.
Kurtz, P. F., Chin, M. D., Huete, J. M., Tarbox, R. S. F., O’Connor, J. T., Paclawskyj, T. R., et al. (2003). Functional analysis and treatment of self-injurious behavior in young children: A summary of 30 cases. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36, 205–219.
Lang, R., Davis, T., O’Reilly, M., Machalicek, W., Rispoli, M., Sigafoos, J., et al. (2010). Functional analysis and treatment of elopement across two school settings. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43, 113–118.
Langthorne, P., & McGill, P. (2011). Assessing the social acceptability of the functional analysis of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 403–407.
Larson, S. A., Lakin, K. C., Salmi, P., Scott, N., & Webster, A. (2010). Children and youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities living in congregate care settings (1977–2009): Healthy people 2010 objective 6.7b outcomes. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 48, 396–400.
LaRue, R. H., Weiss, M. J., & Ferraioli, S. J. (2007). State of the art procedures for assessment and treatment of learners with behavior problems. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 4, 250–263.
Le, D. D., & Smith, R. G. (2002). Functional analysis of self-injury with and without protective equipment. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 14, 277–290.
LeBlanc, L. A., Hagopian, L. P., Marhefka, J. M., & Wilke, A. E. (2001). Effects of therapist gender and type of attention on assessment and treatment of attention-maintained destructive behavior. Behavioral Interventions, 16, 39–57.
Lewis, M. H., Baumeister, A. A., & Mailman, R. B. (1987). A neurobiological alternative to the perceptual reinforcement hypothesis of stereotyped behavior: A commentary on Self-stimulatory behavior and perceptual reinforcement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 20, 253–258.
Lewis, T. J., Scott, T. M., & Sugai, G. (1994). The Problem Behavior Questionnaire: A teacher-based instrument to develop functional hypotheses of problem behavior in general education classrooms. Diagnostique, 19, 103–115.
Lowe, K., Allen, D., Jones, E., Brophy, S., Moore, K., & James, W. (2007). Challenging behaviours: Prevalence and topographies. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 51, 625–636.
Ma, H.-H. (2006). An alternative method for quantitative synthesis of single-subject researches: Percentage of data points exceeding the median. Behavior Modification, 30, 598–617.
Mace, F. C., Browder, D. M., & Lin, Y. (1987). Analysis of demand conditions associated with stereotypy. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 18, 25–31.
Mace, F. C., & Lalli, J. S. (1991). Linking descriptive and experimental analyses in the treatment of bizarre speech. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24, 553–562.
Mace, F. C., Page, J. J., Ivancic, M. T., & O’Brien, S. (1986). Analysis of environmental determinants of aggression and disruption in mentally retarded children. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 7, 203–221.
Machalicek, W., O’Reilly, M. F., Chan, J., Lang, R., Rispoli, M., Davis, T., et al. (2009). Using videoconferencing to conduct functional analysis of challenging behavior and develop classroom behavior support plans for students with autism. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, 44, 207–217.
Maes, B., Brokeman, T. G., Dosen, A., Nauts, J., et al. (2003). Caregiving burden of families looking after persons with intellectual disability and behavioral or psychiatric problems. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 47, 447–455.
Matson, J. L., & Vollmer, T. R. (1995). User’s guide: Questions about behavioral function (QABF). Baton Rouge, LA: Scientific Publishers.
McComas, J., Hoch, H., Paone, D., & El-Roy, D. (2000). Escape behavior during academic tasks: A preliminary analysis of idiosyncratic establishing operations. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 479–493.
McGinnis, M. A., Houchins-Juárez, N., McDaniel, J. L., & Kennedy, C. H. (2010). Abolishing and establishing operation analyses of social attention as positive reinforcement for problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43, 119–123.
McKerchar, T. L., Kahng, S., Casioppo, E., & Wilson, D. (2001). Functional analysis of self-injury maintained by automatic reinforcement: Exposing masked social functions. Behavioral Interventions, 16, 59–63.
Moore, J. W., Edwards, R. P., Sterling-Turner, H. E., Riley, J., DuBard, M., & McGeorge, A. (2002). Teacher acquisition of functional analysis methodology. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 35, 73–77.
Moore, J. W., Fisher, W. W., & Pennington, A. (2004). Systematic application and removal of protective equipment in the assessment of multiple topographies of self-injury. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 37, 73–77.
Mueller, M. M., Nkosi, A., & Hine, J. F. (2011). Functional analysis in public schools: A summary of 90 functional analyses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 807–818.
Najdowski, A. C., Wallace, M. D., Ellsworth, C. L., MacAleese, A. N., & Cleveland, J. M. (2008). Functional analyses and treatment of precursor behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 41, 97–105.
Neef, N. A. (1995). Pyramidal parent training by peers. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 28, 333–337.
Neidert, P. L., Iwata, B. A., & Dozier, C. L. (2005). Treatment of multiply controlled problem behavior with procedural variations of differential reinforcement. Exceptionality, 13, 45–53.
Northup, J., Wacker, D., Sasso, G., Steege, M., Cigrand, K., Cook, J., et al. (1991). A brief functional analysis of aggressive and alternative behavior in an outclinic setting. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24, 509–522.
O’Neill, R. E., Horner, R. H., Albin, R. W., Storey, K., & Sprague, J. R. (1990). Functional analysis of problem behavior: A practical assessment guide. Sycamore, IL: Sycamore Publishing Company.
O’Reilly, M. F. (1997). Functional analysis of episodic self-injury correlated with recurrent otitis media. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 30, 165–167.
O’Reilly, M. F., Lang, R., Davis, T., Rispoli, M., Machalicek, W., Sigafoos, J., et al. (2009). A systematic examination of different parameters of presession exposure to tangible stimuli that maintain problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 773–783.
Page, T. J., Iwata, B. A., & Reid, D. H. (1982). Pyramidal training: A large-scale application with institutional staff. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 15, 335–351.
Pelios, L., Morren, J., Tesch, D., & Axelrod, S. (1999). The impact of functional analysis methodology on treatment choice for self-injurious behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 185–195.
Piazza, C. C., Bowman, L. G., Contrucci, S. A., Delia, M. D., Adelinis, J. D., & Goh, H.-L. (1999). An evaluation of the properties of attention as reinforcement for destructive and appropriate behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 437–449.
Piazza, C. C., Hanley, G. P., & Fisher, W. W. (1996). Functional analysis and treatment of cigarette pica. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 29, 427–450.
Plauche Johnson, C., Myers, S. M., & The Council on Children with Disabilities. (2007). Management of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 120, 1162–1182.
Rapp, J. T. (2004). Effects of prior access and environmental enrichment on stereotypy. Behavioral Interventions, 19, 287–295.
Reimers, T. M., Wilder, D. P., Cooper, L. J., Sasso, G. M., Berg, W. K., & Steege, M. W. (1993). Assessing the functional properties of noncompliant behavior in an outpatient setting. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 15, 1–15.
Richman, D. M., Wacker, D. P., Asmus, J. M., Casey, S. D., & Andelman, M. (1999). Further analysis of problem behavior in response class hierarchies. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 269–283.
Ringdahl, J. E., & Sellers, J. A. (2000). The effects of different adults as therapists during functional analyses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 247–250.
Rodriquez, N. M., Thompson, R. H., Schlichenmeyer, K., & Stocco, C. S. (2012). Functional analysis and treatment of arranging and ordering by individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 45, 1–22.
Rolider, N. U., Iwata, B. A., Camp, E. M., & Fritz, J. N. (2007, May). Functional analysis of low-rate problem behavior. Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis, San Diego, CA.
Rooker, G. W., Iwata, B. A., Harper, J. M., Fahmie, T. A., & Camp, E. M. (2011). False-positive tangible outcomes of functional analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 737–745.
Roscoe, E. M., Rooker, G. W., Pence, S. T., & Longworth, L. J. (2009). Assessing the utility of a demand assessment for functional analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 819–825.
Rush, A. J., & Frances, A. (2000). Expert consensus guideline series: Treatment of psychiatric and behavioral problems in mental retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 105, 159–228.
Schlichenmeyer, K. J., Roscoe, E. M., Rooker, G. W., Wheeler, E. E., & Dube, W. V. (in press). Idiosyncratic variables affecting functional analysis outcomes: A review (2001–2010). Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Scotti, J. R., Evans, I. M., Meyer, L. H., & Walker, P. (1991). A meta-analysis of intervention research with problem behavior: Treatment validity and standards of practice. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 96, 233–256.
Sherman, B. R. (1988). Predictors of the decision to place developmentally disabled family members in residential care. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 92, 344–351.
Shirley, M. J., Iwata, B. A., & Kahng, S. (1999). False-positive maintenance of self-injurious behavior by access to tangible reinforcers. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 201–204.
Sigafoos, J., Kerr, M., Roberts, D., & Couzens, D. (1993). Reliability of structured interviews for the assessment of challenging behaviour. Behaviour Change, 10, 47–50.
Sigafoos, J., & Saggers, E. (1995). A discrete trial approach to the functional analysis of aggressive behaviour in two boys with autism. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 20, 287–297.
Smith, R. G., & Churchill, R. M. (2002). Identification of environmental determinants of behavior disorders through functional analysis of precursor behaviors. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 35, 125–136.
Smith, R. G., Iwata, B. A., Goh, H.-L., & Shore, B. A. (1995). Analysis of establishing operations for self-injury maintained by escape. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 28, 515–535.
Smith, R. G., Iwata, B. A., Vollmer, T. R., & Zarcone, J. R. (1993). Experimental analysis and treatment of multiply controlled self-injury. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 26, 183–196.
St. Peter, C. C., Vollmer, T. R., Bourret, J. C., Borrero, C. S. W., Sloman, K. N., & Rapp, J. T. (2005). On the role of attention in naturally occurring matching relations. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 38, 429–443.
Sulzer-Azaroff, B., & Mayer, G. R. (1977). Applying behavior analysis procedures with children and youth. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.
Tarbox, J., Wallace, M. D., Tarbox, R. S. F., Landaburu, H. J., & Williams, W. L. (2004). Functional analysis and treatment of low-rate problem behavior in individuals with developmental disabilities. Behavioral Interventions, 19, 73–90.
Taylor, J. C., & Carr, E. G. (1992). Severe problem behaviors related to social interaction; I. Attention seeking and social avoidance. Behavior Modification, 16, 305–335.
Taylor, J. C., Ekdahl, M. M., Romanezyk, R. G., & Miller, M. L. (1994). Escape behavior in task situations: Task versus social antecedents. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24, 331–344.
Thomason-Sassi, J. L., Iwata, B. A., Neidert, P. L., & Roscoe, E. M. (2011). Response latency as an index of response strength during functional analyses of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 51–67.
Thompson, R. H., & Iwata, B. A. (2007). A comparison of outcomes from descriptive and functional analyses of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 333–338.
Tiger, J. H., Fisher, W. W., Toussaint, K. A., & Kodak, T. (2009). Progressing from initially ambiguous functional analyses: Three case examples. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 30, 910–926.
Touchette, P. E., MacDonald, R. F., & Langer, S. N. (1985). A scatter plot for identifying stimulus control of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18, 343–351.
Ulman, J. D., & Sulzer-Azaroff, B. (1975). Multielement baseline design in educational research. In E. Ramp & G. Semb (Eds.), Behavior analysis: Areas of research and application (pp. 377–391). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Vollmer, T. R., Hagopian, L. P., Bailey, J. S., Dorsey, M. F., Hanley, G. P., Lennox, D., et al. (2011). The Association of Behavior Analysis International position statement on restraint and seclusion. Behavior Analyst, 34, 103–110.
Vollmer, T. R., Iwata, B. A., Duncan, B. A., & Lerman, D. C. (1993). Extensions of multielement functional analyses using reversal-type designs. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 5, 311–325.
Vollmer, T. R., Marcus, B. A., Ringdahl, J. E., & Roane, H. S. (1995). Progressing from brief assessments to extended experimental analyses in the evaluation of aberrant behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 28, 561–576.
Vollmer, T. R., Northup, J., Ringdahl, J. E., LeBlanc, L., & Chauvin, T. (1996). Functional analysis of severe tantrums displayed by children with language delays: An outclinic assessment. Behavior Modification, 20, 97–115.
Vollmer, T. R., & Smith, R. G. (1996). Some current themes in functional analysis research. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 17, 229–249.
Wacker, D., Berg, W., Derby, K., Asmus, J., & Healey, A. (1998). Evaluation and long-term treatment of aberrant behavior displayed by young children with disabilities. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 19, 260–266.
Wallace, M. D., & Iwata, B. A. (1999). Effects of session duration on functional analysis outcomes. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 175–183.
Wilder, D. A., Register, M., Register, S., Bajagic, V., & Neidert, P. L. (2009). Functional analysis and treatment of rumination using fixed-time delivery of a flavor spray. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 877–882.
Zarcone, J. R., Rodgers, T. A., Iwata, B. A., Rourke, D., & Dorsey, M. F. (1991). Reliability analysis of the motivational assessment scale: A failure to replicate. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 12, 349–360.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Appendix: Steps in Conducting a Functional Analysis of Problem Behavior
Appendix: Steps in Conducting a Functional Analysis of Problem Behavior
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Neidert, P.L., Rooker, G.W., Bayles, M.W., Miller, J.R. (2013). Functional Analysis of Problem Behavior. In: Reed, D., DiGennaro Reed, F., Luiselli, J. (eds) Handbook of Crisis Intervention and Developmental Disabilities. Issues in Clinical Child Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6531-7_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6531-7_9
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6530-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6531-7
eBook Packages: Behavioral ScienceBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)