Assignment Details

Functional Behavior Assessment

Please review previous coursework regarding conducting the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), which can be found in the following courses:

• PS360: Applied Behavior Analysis I
• PS365: Applied Behavior Analysis II
• PS410: Screening and Assessment

After you met with Jeanette (the client’s mother from the Unit 3 Assignment), you learned the following:

• The family consists of a mother, father, and older sister; and they are 2nd – and 3rd -generation Americans whose grandparents were originally from Mexico.
• Axel, the son, was diagnosed with Autism 3-months ago. He is a very active 4-year-old; he takes no prescription medications; and he has Occupational Therapy (OT) once per week.
• The three behaviors that Jeannette listed as “concerns” were tantrum behaviors, rigidity, and non-compliance.

Conduct a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

• Apply the single-subject research design to this FBA.
• Employ Indirect Assessment with those who are familiar with Axel: Prepare an interview form for the indirect assessment.
• Choose one, or more, data collection/behavior measurement forms for your direct observation from the list below (Forms can be found and downloaded in Course Documents). Using “creative license,” fabricate data for use in this Assignment.
  • Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence Form (Hint: you must identify the antecedents and consequences before you can hypothesize the function of the behavior(s). Behavior plans based upon the probable function of the behavior(s) are more effective.)
  • Frequency Data Sheet
  • Interval Recording Form
  • Duration Recording Form
  • Latency Recording Form
• Based upon information gathered during the indirect assessment, schedule direct observation visits at the times, and in the environments, in which the target behaviors are likely to occur.
• Develop operational definitions of the target behaviors
• Collect direct observation data using the forms (listed above) that are most appropriate for the behavior and setting.
• Choose one of the three target behaviors (tantrums, rigidity, or non-compliance) and create a line graph of the data. (In your Unit 9 Assignment, you will be designing a behavior intervention plan (BIP) based upon the target behavior you select in this Assignment.)
  • Explain your choice.
  • Summarize the considerations you must take into account when selecting a target behavior when a client exhibits multiple interfering behaviors.
• Based upon the visual analysis of the line graph, identify the probable function of the target behavior.
• Summarize the information collected during the indirect assessment and direct assessment in the Functional Behavior Assessment Report for Parents (FBARP) for Axel’s parents in understandable terms. Include in the FBARP, projected positive outcomes of addressing the target behavior with a behavior intervention plan (BIP). (The Functional Behavior Assessment Report for Parents (FBARP) can be downloaded in Course Documents.)

The FBARP should be 2–6 pages. You must use at least two academic references to support your assertions in the FBARP. Provide in-text citations in APA format. For this assignment, you will provide title and reference pages in APA format, and on a Word document.

Your paper will be organized in the following order:

• Title page
• FBARP
• A-B-C Data Form for the selected Target Behavior
• Interview Form(s)
• Line Graph of Baseline Data of Target Behavior
• Reference Page

This project should follow the conventions of Standard English with writing that is well ordered, logical and unified, as well as original and insightful. Your work should display superior content, organization, style, and mechanics. You should use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Your work should be free of typographical errors. Contact the Writing Center for help with APA formatting.

The following Course Outcomes will be assessed with this Assignment:

BSABA-2 Research Methods: Apply basic methodology in psychology including research design, data analysis, and the interpretation and evaluation of findings.

BSABA-6 Information and Technological Skills: Communicate psychological principles and concepts effectively in diverse social and professional settings.

BSABA-7 Global Awareness: Explain how academic and applied psychology can improve interpersonal relationships across cultural and national boundaries.