Addressing Individual Challenging Behavior through Function-based Support George Sugai OSEP Center on PBIS Center for Behavioral Education & Research University of Connecticut April

PURPOSE Provide overview of defining features of function-based approach to addressing behavior. Prerequisites review FBA basics BIP basics

Function-based support is all about… Re-design & improvement of learning & teaching environments –Attention to environment & function –Not re-design of individuals –Change in behavior of plan implementers

Non-validated Interventions for Students with EBD EXAMPLES Sensory re-integration or stimulation Facilitated communication Introspective psychoanalytic therapies Rebirthing therapies CONCERNS Poor ecological (school) validity Redirected specification of actual causal factors Adverse side effects False hopes & expectations Inefficient use of resources & opportunities Lack of empirical support

Behavior Support Elements Problem Behavior Functional Assessment Intervention & Support Plan Fidelity of Implementation Impact on Behavior & Lifestyle *Response class *Routine analysis *Hypothesis statement *Alternative behaviors *Competing behavior analysis *Contextual fit *Strengths, preferences, & lifestyle outcomes *Evidence-based interventions *Implementation support *Data plan *Continuous improvement *Sustainability plan Team-based Behavior competence

Outcomes (“Answers”) Supporting context –Effective SWPBS Features & requirements of function-based approach to behavior support –Process Behavioral description of “function” –Get or escape/avoid Steps in function-based approach to behavior intervention planning –Behaviorally competent team

Basics Review

SYSTEMS PRACTICES DATA Supporting Staff Behavior Supporting Student Behavior OUTCOMES Supporting Social Competence & Academic Achievement Supporting Decision Making Integrated Elements

Primary Prevention: School-/Classroom- Wide Systems for All Students, Staff, & Settings Secondary Prevention: Specialized Group Systems for Students with At-Risk Behavior Tertiary Prevention: Specialized Individualized Systems for Students with High-Risk Behavior CONTINUUM OF SCHOOL-WIDE INSTRUCTIONAL & POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT ALL SOME FEW

Classroom SWPBS Practices Non-classroom Family Student School-wide Smallest # Evidence-based Biggest, durable effect

~80% of Students ~15% ~5% ESTABLISHING CONTINUUM of SWPBS SECONDARY PREVENTION Check in/out Targeted social skills instruction Peer-based supports Social skills club TERTIARY PREVENTION Function-based support Wraparound Person-centered planning PRIMARY PREVENTION Teach SW expectations Proactive SW discipline Positive reinforcement Effective instruction Parent engagement SECONDARY PREVENTION TERTIARY PREVENTION PRIMARY PREVENTION

All Some Few RTI Continuum of Support for ALL Dec 7, 2007

FBA Basics

Behavior Support Elements Problem Behavior Functional Assessment Intervention & Support Plan Fidelity of Implementation Impact on Behavior & Lifestyle *Response class *Routine analysis *Hypothesis statement *Alternative behaviors *Competing behavior analysis *Contextual fit *Strengths, preferences, & lifestyle outcomes *Evidence-based interventions *Implementation support *Data plan *Continuous improvement *Sustainability plan Team-based Behavior competence

3. How do I know if FBA has been done?

SWPBS Conceptual Foundations Behaviorism ABA PBS SWPBS Laws of Behavior Applied Behavioral Technology Social Validity All Students

Setting EventsTriggering Antecedents Maintaining Consequences Problem Behavior Testable Hypothesis “Basic Unit” Following events that maintain behaviors of concern (function) Preceding events that trigger or occasion Set of related behaviors of concern (RC) Infrequent events that affect value of maint. conseq. “Best guess” about behavior & conditions under which it is observed Represents basic working unit of FBA Directly guides development of BIP

Setting Events –Unique situations in which factors unique to individual Make problem behavior more intense or more likely to occur (e.g., illness, fatigue, hunger, social conflict). –By changing value of reinforcers E.g., praise less effective, peer attention is more reinforcing, work completion is less important.

Work completion is less important (reinforcing) to Demetri after he has had an argument with his girlfriend before class, or Cologne’s use of verbal profanity is more likely (escape) when she hasn’t had enough sleep night before, or Peer attention is less distracting (reinforcing) when Manuella isn’t feeling well.

Lack of sleep decreases value (reinforcement) of getting to school on time, increases value of going to Hot Dog Haven. Lack of breakfast increases value (reinforcement) of getting sent to office (by fending machines) for failing to follow directions. Having a fight with boyfriend decreases value (reinforcement) of listening to lecture. Getting >50% of problem wrong decreases value (reinforcement) of starting new worksheets.

“FUNCTION” = outcome, result, purpose, consequence

Only 2 Basic Functions Pos Reinf Neg Reinf Existing aversive condition identified

Ingram, Lewis-Palmer, & Sugai, 2005

When Sequoia misses her 12:30 medication & teachers present multiple task demands, she makes negative self-statements & writes profane language on her assignments. Teaching staff typically send her to the office with a discipline referral for being disrespectful. Setting eventAntecedentResponseConsequence Misses 12:30 medication Teachers make multiple task demands Sequoia makes negative self- statements & writes profane language Teacher sends Sequoia to office for being disrespectful What function? Avoid difficult tasks

Setting eventAntecedentResponseConsequence Caesar is teased several times about his hair by his friends before class His teacher stares at his hair in class Caesar asks his teacher what she’s staring at His teacher sends him to in-school detention Caesar has dyed his hair three colors & is teased several times by his friends before class. When he enters the class, his teacher stares at his hair. Caesar immediately says “what are you staring at?” His teacher immediately sends him to in-school detention. What function? Escape adult & peer attention

Setting eventAntecedentResponseConsequence Cleo is new to the 6th grade, & English is her second language. When another student approaches & says something to her in English, Cleo turns away. The other student walks away. This happens several times during the day. New studentStudent approaches & speaks in English Cleo turns away Other student walks away What function? Escape peer attention

Setting eventAntecedentResponseConsequence When his teacher asks him what the capitol city of a country is, Napoleon gives the correct answers. His teacher praises his correct answer, & tells him he may work by himself or a friend on the rest of the assignment. None Teacher asks what capitol city of country is Napoleon give correct answer Teacher gives verbal praise & time to work with a friend What function? Access peer & adult attention

Setting eventAntecedentResponseConsequence As Veloce is walking, other kids look at him & say “what’s up?” He looks back and says: “Who ya lookin’ at?!” “Ya want some of this?!” “Ya talkin’ to me?!” Kids shake their heads & all him “weirdo.” ??Look at him. “What’s up!” “Who ya lookin’ at?” “Ya want Some?” “Ya talkin’ to me? Kids shake heads & call him “weirdo” What function? Access OR escape peer attention? How do you know? Assess?

TE is “best guess.” What if testable hypothesis is incomplete or inaccurate?

Functional Assessment Checklist for Teachers “FACTS” STEP 1: Student/ Grade: _____Clarence/5th grade_____Date: ____January 11___________ Interviewer: ___________Sugai________Respondent(s): ____Thomas_____ STEP 2: Student Profile: Please identify at least three strengths or contributions the student brings to school. C. has leadership potential. Peers listened to him, and he can be very convincing and sincere. He’s academically competent and seems to be moving smoothly and successfully through the school curriculum. STEP 3: Problem Behavior(s): Identify problem behaviors ___Tardy_X Fight/physical Aggression ___ Disruptive___ Theft___ UnresponsiveX Inappropriate Language_X__ Insubordination___ Vandalism___ Withdrawn_X__ Verbal Harassment____Work not done___ Other __________ ____X _ Verbally Inappropriate___ Self-injury Describe problem behavior:C. may have one of the shortest fuses I’ve seen. One little tease by a peer, and he quickly and predictably escalates through a behavioral sequence that begins with passive in subordination (non response), moves to a mild protest, shifts to harassment and name calling, increases to property damage and even to physical aggression. Its interesting that he seems to “enjoy” the reactions he gets from peers that he aggresses toward, and from peers who look up to him for his aggressiveness.

STEP 4: Routine Analysis Schedule (Times) ActivityLikelihood of Problem BehaviorSpecific Problem Behavior 8:00Waiting to enter building Low High See escalation described above 8:15Advisory & Planning Mostly teasing and touching property of others. Doesn’t escalate much further 9:15Language Arts Occasional name calling/teasing 10:15Recess See escalation described above 11:30Math Occasional teasing 12:00Lunch See escalation described above 12:35Earth Science Minor verbal harassment 1:15Art or Phy Ed See escalation described above 2:00Reading Rarely a problem 2:50Waiting for bus See escalation described above

Fundamental Rule! “You should not propose to reduce a problem behavior without also identifying alternative, desired behaviors person should perform instead of problem behavior” O’Neill et al., 1997, p. 71 “You should not propose to reduce a problem behavior without also identifying alternative, desired behaviors person should perform instead of problem behavior” O’Neill et al., 1997, p. 71

Setting EventsTriggering Antecedents Maintaining Consequences Problem Behavior Desired Alternative Acceptable Alternative Typical Consequence Summary Statement

Setting EventsTriggering Antecedents Maintaining Consequences Problem Behavior Lack of peer contact in 30 minutes. Do difficult math assignment. Noncompliance, profanity, physical aggression, Avoid task, remove from class. Desired Alternative Typical Consequence Points, grades, questions, more work. Do work w/o complaints. Summary Statement Acceptable Alternative Ask for break, ask for help. Why is function important? Because consequences compete!! Function

Setting EventsTriggering Antecedents Maintaining Consequences Problem Behavior Desired Alternative Typical Consequence Summary Statement Acceptable Alternative

Setting Event Manipulations Antecedent Manipulations Consequence Manipulations Behavior Manipulations

Setting EventsTriggering Antecedents Maintaining Consequences Problem Behavior Lack of peer contact in 30 minutes. Do difficult math assignment. Noncompliance, profanity, physical aggression, Avoid task, remove from class. Desired Alternative Typical Consequence Points, grades, questions, more work. Do work w/o complaints. Summary Statement Acceptable Alternative Ask for break, ask for help. Function

Setting Event Manipulations Antecedent Manipulations Consequence Manipulations Behavior Manipulations Teach options to problem behavior: 1. Ask for break 2. Ask for help 3. Turn in assignment as is. Teach missing math skills Arrange for peer interaction before math class Provide positive adult contact Sit with preferred peer Introduce review type problem before difficult tasks Remind of alternative behaviors Do first problem together Immediately reinforce entering class. Provide reinforcer w/in 1 min. of starting task (3 min., 5 min., 10 minutes) Give break & help Sit with preferred peer when done

Setting EventsTriggering Antecedents Maintaining Consequences Problem Behavior Rides city bus Teacher corrects peers Profanity Verbal protests Teacher attention Desired Alternative Typical Consequence Delayed teacher attention. Ignore & problem solve later Summary Statement Acceptable Alternative Discuss in private Function

Setting Event Manipulations Antecedent Manipulations Consequence Manipulations Behavior Manipulations Teach J. how, when, & where to express verbal protest, & how to walk away from problem situations in transitions. On days city bus ridden, check in with counselor to review days schedule & walk with counselor to classroom Give >3 positive acknow- ledgements per min. to peers during transitions. Give private & quiet corrections to peers. Remind J. of acceptable & desired replacement behaviors When J. engages in problem behavior immediately disengage from him, & engage peers. When J. engages in replacement behaviors provide adult attention (discussion)

On Mondays and/or when up all of the night before. Daily nongraded quiz on previous night’s homework Verbal protests, slump in chair, walks out of room. Avoids doing quiz & homework discussion. Do quiz without complaints. Discussion about answers & homework. Turn in with name & sit quietly w/o interrupting.

On Mondays and/or when up all of the night before. Daily nongraded quiz on previous night’s homework Verbal protests, slump in chair, walks out of room. Avoids doing quiz & homework discussion. Do quiz without complaints. Discussion about answers & homework. Turn in with name & sit quietly w/o interrupting. + Give time to review homework. + Give quiet time before starting. + Give easy “warm- up” task before doing quiz. + Precorrect behavior options & consequences. + With first sign of problem behaviors, remove task, or request completion of task next period. + Remove task based on step in task analysis (STO). + Provide effective verbal praise & other reinforcers. Teach options to problem behavior: 1. Turn in blank 2. Turn in w/ name 3. Turn in w/ name & first item done. 4. Turn in w/ name & 50% of items done.

7. How quality of function-based behavior intervention plans be improved?

FBA/BIP Team Process Steps

6 FBA Misrules 1.Only one way to conduct FBA…. –FA process is basically same –Methods for collecting data may vary Observe Ask Review records Test NO

2.Must do everything every time…. Base FBA activity on what you know FBA is systematic planning process NO

3.Everyone has to know how to do a full FBA…. Small number of people must have high fluency All people must know process & what to expect Some individuals must work on sustainability NO

4.FBA is it….. One component of comprehensive plan of behavior support academic, medical, vocational, mental health, etc. NO

5.FBA is only for students with disabilities… Process for behavior of all individuals across multiple settings NO

6. “Power,” “authority,” “control,” etc. are functions…. 2 research validated functions Pos. & Neg. Reinf. NO