Functional Behavior Assessment Paper

Functional behavior assessment is the process of collecting information regarding problem behaviors in a student due to physical and environmental issues (O’Neill, Albin, Storey, Horner, & Sprague, 2015). The process for the functional behavior assessment allows teachers and administrators to develop a research based plan to assist students with behavioral issues to overcome those issues in the classroom. This assessment shifts the focus of behavioral problems from the punishment mindset, to preventative behavioral strategies. The functional behavior assessment provides interventions to the student, so they may redirect their attention to academics, as oppose to self-stimulus activities; it is through the self-stimulating activities that may cause

A major part of successfully implementing the plan is to get teachers and administration “on board” with the details of the behavior plan. At times, the teachers may need to change how they approach the student in the classroom and this can be difficult for seasoned teachers to change how they do things in the classroom. The goal would be for the teacher to identify the problem from the behaviors that the student is displaying, and then use the strategies given from the assessment for intervention. The teacher would then follow the steps on the behavior intervention plan, and then give positive reinforcement when the behavior was changed. During this process, adjustments can be made if the given strategies are found to not work.
The functional behavior assessment can be a great tool to use to help deter negative behaviors in the classroom, though, there may be other assessments needed to help identify certain issues, such as medical, or environments outside of school. As with anything, the child’s best interest needs to be a major concern for everyone