Functional Analysis
Although indirect and descriptive FBA strategies are helpful in identifying patterns of challenging behavior, these procedures fall short in being able to demonstrate a functional relation between challenging behavior and the environmental events suspected to produce it. That is, although hypotheses regarding the function of challenging behavior can be formed, these assessments do not allow for those hypotheses to be confirmed. To address this issue, Iwata and colleagues (1982/1994) developed a functional analysis that systematically manipulated the environmental variables hypothesized to occasion self-injurious behavior within a single-case experimental design.
In a functional analysis, various test conditions are designed to test specific hypotheses regarding behavioral function, which are then compared with a control condition to demonstrate a functional relation. In each test condition, a specific situation that is suspected to evoke challenging behavior is presented and contingent on challenging behavior a specific consequence is provided that may increase the chances of challenging behavior occurring again in the future under similar situations (i.e., reinforcement). The relative benefit of functional analysis over other functional assessment procedures discussed above is that the clinician has direct control over the contingencies that are influencing challenging behavior, which permits a more detailed level of analysis and hypothesis testing (Vollmer et al., 2012). Below, common test and control conditions (see Saini et al., 2021) are described in the table below.
Description of Functional Analysis Test and Control Conditions
Since the initial development of the functional analysis procedure by Iwata et al. (1982/1994), its use has been validated across hundreds of studies targeting various topographies and severity levels of challenging behavior (Beavers et al., 2013; Hanley et al., 2003). Furthermore, it has been modified in a number of ways to increase efficiency (Falcomata et al., 2016), to develop novel conditions (Owen et al., 2020; McCord et al., 2001), and to implement across a variety of settings (e.g., school; Bloom et al., 2013).
Summary
The goal of FBAs is to identify the antecedent conditions that evoke challenging behavior and the consequences that maintain it. By identifying the reinforcement contingencies that occasion challenging behavior, treatment can be arranged to directly affect those contingencies and reduce challenging behavior.
Utilization of informant report (i.e., indirect assessment) and measurement of challenging behavior via direct observation (i.e., descriptive assessment) can lead to the development of functional hypotheses. Only functional analysis, however, can confirm those hypotheses by manipulating the antecedent and consequent variables within an experimental arrangement.
The specific FBA methods (e.g., indirect assessments, functional analysis) employed will ultimately depend on the practice setting and training of the individual conducting the assessment. These decisions should be rooted in evidence-based practice that includes consideration of empirical evidence, clinical expertise, and the client’s preferences and values (APA, 2006).
Although functional analysis can confirm the function(s) of challenging behavior, for example, it may not be appropriate for every case and in all settings (e.g., dangerous forms of challenging behavior; limited resources or training). For example, if a young child with ASD begins to engage in disruptive behavior in the classroom, a school-based FBA that utilizes indirect assessments to develop functional hypotheses and design intervention may be sufficient. However, if treatment is ineffective and challenging behavior persists or worsens, a more sophisticated functional analysis may be needed to confirm which contingencies are functionally related to the child’s challenging behavior. In the following sections, we will outline a framework for identifying and assessing challenging behavior that can be used to inform the level of care needed over time.
