RBT- Assisting With Behavior Assessment

Assessment

info gathering process that allows us to identify the problem behavior(s) of concern, skill deficits related to problem behavior, related antecedents and consequences, environmental factors contributing to challenging behavior, stakeholders/caregivers involved in the intervention, and other relevant information impacting treatment (ex: medical, trauma history, cultural/spiritual factors)

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

term used to describe the overall process of behavior analystic assessment; most often results in a behavior intervention plan (BIP); the beginning of the ABCs

Indirect Assessment

structured interviews, questionnaires, record reviews

Record Review

gather information on current and past behavior repertoire, environmental factors, and medical history; includes evaluations/assessment, support plans/IEP, activity/class schedule, treatment plans, progress notes, incident/disciplinary records, and correspondence/email

Functional Analysis Screening Tool (FAST)

a tool designed to identify a number of factors that may influence the occurrence of problem behaviors; should ONLY be used as a screening tool and as part of a comprehensive functional assessment or analysis of problem behavior; answer yes, no, or n/a; calculate how man questions answered yes for each function; used when trying to identify a possible function of behavior

Questions About Behavior Function (QABF)

an assessment tool that can help form a hypothesis about the function of behavior (ex: attention, escape, non-social (i.e., automatic, sensory seeking), physical (i.e., pain attenuation), and tangible); using a parent or caregiver to answer a series of questions and based on answers, and a numeric score is given

ABC Data Collection

a type of direct assessment method; identifies antecedents and consequences; may include narration about additional conditions (ex: they didn’t sleep well the night before)

Scatterplot

a graphic display that has a specific purpose; can reveal relationships among different subsets of data; shows time(s) of day that a behavior is occurring

Positive Environmental Checklist (PEC)

designed for use in evaluating whether the settings in which persons with severe disabilities live, work, and go to school in are structured in a manner that promotes and maintains positive, adaptive behaviors; addresses concerns related to the ways in which program staff support and interact with the people with disabilities in the setting

Preference Assessment

a tool and/or process that helps identify preferred items and activities, gives guidance in how to reward appropriate behaviors, and allows us to enrich environments and promote more rapid learning

Indirect Preference Assessments

Informant-based assessments; interviews and questionnaires

Naturalistic Observation Preference Assessment (AKA Free Operant Preference Assessment)

directly observing the individual; assessor notes what items/activities an individual may frequently engage with or ask for; noted how long the individual engages with said activity; access is NOT contingent on any type of response; no tasks or other requirements are presented to the individual

Trial-Based Assessments

requires specific opportunities/tests to derive results; may include one or more stimuli; may involve removing items or having learner relinquish items; may or may not include representing items

Single Stimulus Preference Assessment (SSPA)

single item is presented for a set amount of time, if the individual engages with the item, it’s considered preferred; appropriate for those who have trouble scanning an array, easily gets overwhelmed with responponses, and those with significant disabilities like limited mobility

Paired Choice Preference Assessment (PCPA)

2 items are presented simultaneously and item selected is recorded; each item is paired with every other item 1 time (ex: if there were 5 items, there would be 10 trials); a hierarchy is established based on the number of times an item was selected given the number of times it was available

Multiple Stimulus WITH Replacement (MSW)

array of items is presented (chosen from survey), when an item is selected, that item is returned to the array

Multiple Stimulus WITHOUT Replacement (MSWO)

Array of items is presented (chosen from survey), when an item is selected, it is NOT returned to the array

Functional Analysis

systematic manipulation of environmental factor to identify functional relations, typically using a multi-element experimental design

Formative Assessments

ongoing assessment used to inform instruction

Summative Assessment

an assessment given at predetermined intervals, typically used to evaluate the overall effects of programs

Verbal Behavior

any form of communication behavior that’s between a speaker and a listener that allows the speaker to gain access to reinforcement and control their environment through the behavior of others (the listener)