1. Evidence for Effective
Practical FBA & BSP Trainings for School Personnel
Sheldon Loman, PhD
9th Annual Conference on Positive Behavior Support
March 15th, 2012
Contact:

2. Who’s here? Administrators? Teachers? Paraprofessionals?
Behavior Specialists?
Higher Education Members?
Other related services?
Others?

3. Special thanks to:
Kristy Lee Park, Chris Borgmeier, Kathleen Strickland-Cohen, &
Rob Horner

4. Concern Basic Message:
Any time you feel overwhelmed the answer is likely to include investing in the training of others.
As schools adopt Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports, the behavior specialists in the district are often overwhelmed with requests to conduct functional behavioral assessments and building behavior support plans.

5. Goals
Propose an approach for making FBA/BSP a practical part of behavior support in all schools.
Define how to teach typical school personnel to conduct “Practical FBAs and BSPs”
Present documentation that basic FBAs are valid for use in building behavior support plans.
Present preliminary data on the efficacy of a practical training of function-based interventions
Present How Schools are Using these Practical Approaches

6. A primary goal of FBA is to….
guide the development of effective positive interventions based on the function of the behavior (e.g. tangible, escape, attention, automatic; Horner, 1994).

7. FBA is….
an empirically supported practice that has been demonstrated to improve both the effectiveness & efficiency of behavioral interventions in schools
Blair, Umbreit, & Bos, 1999; Carr et al., 1999; Ingram, Lewis-Palmer, & Sugai, 2005; Lee, Sugai, & Horner, 1999; Newcomer & Lewis, 2004.

8. Filter & Horner, 2009

9. Ingram, Lewis-Palmer & Sugai, 2005

10. Newcomer & Lewis, 2004

11. Challenges schools face today are not finding what works, but implementing what works. Fixsen, Naoom, Blase, Friedman, & Wallace, 2005
Since 1997 FBA has not been implemented widely in schools.
Not due to lack of knowledge, but to practicality of use

12. District Behavior Support Specialist
Train and coach PBIS at all three tiers
Support Teams building behavior support plans from Assessment information
Train 1-2 people per school to conduct “basic”
FBA & BSP

13. “Logical Flaws” of FBA use in public schools (Scott et al., 2005)
FBA is used mainly as a reactionary approach.
opportunity is lost to utilize FBA technology to develop interventions that address minor behaviors that usually precede more serious problems.
FBA is restricted to set of procedures used by “experts”
The rich supply of information from people with whom the student interacts with the most is lost.
FBA is restricted to rigorous procedures that are unrealistic for public school settings.
Disincentive for using FBA technology.
Cynicism as to the practicality of FBA .

14. “Scaling Down to Scale up”
Scott, Alter, & McQuillan (2010)
In order for FBA to be applied in typical classrooms we need to simplify the practices associated with effective FBA
It is essential to use straightforward language, rationale, and examples of how FBA can be applied in the context of classroom

15. Proactive…Parsimonious…Practical FBA in schools
Proactive parsimonious procedures required to create an effective behavior support plan.
Given the time & resource constraints in schools, we must encourage schools to “work smarter” to develop capacity to implement technology to effectively support more students.
Use Practical FBA procedures to develop capacity within a school to utilize FBA technology.

16. Practical FBA Logic Model
Individualized Supports
5% of
Students
Overwhelmed Behavior Specialist
AKA: “Fire-fighter”
Personnel with “flexible” roles conduct proactive Practical FBA to expand the scope of FBA, prevent intensive problem behaviors, & decrease reliance on specialist.
Secondary Group Supports
10-15% of Students
School-wide Positive Behavioral Supports
80% of Students

17. Current Issues and Needs in Your District…
Do people already know how to do FBA in your schools?
Can a district leader teach FBA procedures in a reasonable amount of time?
Are the basic FBAs developed by school personnel valid for building behavior support plans?
Do our school teams understand the CRITICAL FEATURES of function-based interventions ?
Do we have materials that are practical and effective for use by district specialists?

18. Training Series
4 training sessions on conducting functional behavioral assessments (FBA) for students with mild to moderate behavioral problems in schools.
The training series teaches participants to conduct interviews and observations in such a way as to precisely determine the relationship between student problem behavior and the context:
What the problem behaviors are.
When, Where, & Why a student’s problem behaviors occur.
A summary of this information will help an individual student team develop effective behavioral supports that:
-prevent problem behaviors from occurring
-teach alternative behaviors
-& effectively respond when problem behaviors occur.

19. Practical FBA process D.A.S.H.
Session #1
Define behavior in observable & measurable terms
Ask about behavior by interviewing staff & student
-specify routines where & when behaviors occur
-summarize where, when, & why behaviors occur
See the behavior
-observe the behavior during routines specified
-observe to verify summary from interviews
Hypothesize: a final summary of where, when & why behaviors occur
Session #2
Session #3
Session #4

20. Format of Practical FBA Training Sessions
Objectives
Review
Activities
Checks for Understanding
Comments/
Questions
Tasks
Key Points

21. Practical FBA vs Comprehensive FBA
Focus of this training series
Practical FBA vs Comprehensive FBA
Practical FBA
Comprehensive FBA
For:
Students with mild to moderate problem behaviors (behaviors that are NOT dangerous or occurring in many settings)
Students with moderate to severe behavioral problems; may be dangerous and/or occurring in many settings
What:
Relatively simple and efficient process to guide behavior support planning
Time-intensive process that also involves archival records review, family-centered planning, and collaboration with agencies outside of school
Conducted by whom:
School-based personnel (e.g., teachers, counselors, administrators)
Professionals trained to conduct functional assessments with students with severe problem behaviors (e.g., school psychologists, behavior specialists)

23. Session #1: Defining & Understanding Behavior
Overview of the Practical FBA training series and introduces concepts, examples, and practice opportunities for participants to learn how to:
(a) Define behavior (WHAT),
(b) Identify events that predict WHEN & WHERE the specific behavior occurs
(c) Identify the function of behavior (WHY), and
(d) Construct functional behavioral summary statements
TASK: Find someone at their site whom they may conduct a practice interview with next week.

24. Always start with the Behavior
1- Once you have defined the behaviors (the What) 2- & know the Where & When the behaviors occur #2 (Routine & Antecedents) 3- Then want to find out WHY (the outCome of the behavior…what happens right afterwards) 2
Antecedent/Trigger:
When _____ happens…. 1
Behavior:
the student does (what)__ 3
Consequence/OutCome
..because (why) ______

25. Rules for Defining Behavior
Definitions of behaviors need to be:
Observable: The behavior is an action that can be seen.
Measurable: The behavior can be counted or timed.
Defined so clearly that a person unfamiliar with the student could recognize the behavior without any doubts!

26. Functions that behaviors serve
What is the pay-off of the problem behavior?

27. Create a Hypothesis Statement for Johnny’s Behavior
After interviewing Mr. Smith and conducting several observations of Johnny in the third grade classroom, the team determined that during less structured class time (free time, cooperative group art projects, etc.), Johnny tears up his paper and stomps his feet. After Johnny engages in this behavior his peers laugh at him.
Routine: During __(some routine e.g.: _______________
Third grade classroom
Consequence/OutCome:
“Because..”
Peers laugh at him
Therefore, the function of the behavior is to: get/avoid
Peer Attention
Antecedent/Trigger:
“When ..”
Behavior:
“Student does..”
Less structured class time
Tears up paper & stomps feet

28. Session #2: Investigating Behavior
Review content from the first session
Instruction, modeling, and practice opportunities in conducting FACTS interviews with staff and students
(modified from Borgmeier, 2005)
Practice constructing behavioral summary statements from each interview.
TASK: Complete a practice FACTS interview with a staff member at school site.

29. Hypothesis/Summary Statement
4 terms of
Hypothesis/Summary Statement
Setting Events/
“Set ups”
Antecedent/
Trigger
Problem
Behavior
Consequence/
Outcome
Infrequent events that affect value of outcome
Following events that maintain behaviors of concern
Preceding events that trigger
Observable behaviors of concern

31. Select #1 Ranked Answers to Insert into Summary
Have Teacher Rate the Statement

32. Follow-up
Make sure to ask follow-up questions in the right column of Antecedents & Consequences section
ANTECEDENT(s): Rank Order the strongest triggers/predictors of problem behavior in the routine above. Then ask corresponding follow-up question(s) to get a detailed understanding of triggers ranked #1 & 2.
Environmental Features (Rank order strongest 2)
Follow Up Questions – Get as Specific as possible
1 X a. task too hard ___ g. large group instruction
___ b. task too easy ___ h. small group work
_X_ c. bored w/ task ___ i. unstructured time
_X_ d. task too long ___ j. transitions
___ e. physical demand 2_X k. independent work
3_X f. correction/reprimand ___ l. with peers
___ m. Other, describe ______________________
_______________________________________
If a,b,c,d or e - describe task/demand in detail __writing sentences, paragraphs, letters, journals, etc. student cannot write because they don’t know how to read or spell fluently______________________
If f - describe purpose of correction, voice tone, volume etc. _________________________________________________
If g, h, I, j or k - describe setting/activity/content in detail ____Independent work involving writing or reading; works better in small groups if he doesn’t have to read or write____________
_________________________________________________
If l – what peers?

33. Session #3: Observing & Summarizing Behavior
Review content from previous training sessions & practice interviews from week before
Instruction & practice opportunities (using videos) for participants to conduct ABC observations of students within routines identified as settings in which the problem behavior occurs most frequently (based upon the staff FACTS interviews).
Participants practice constructing summary statements based upon data from their observations to verify or modify summary statements derived from their FACTS interviews.
TASK: Complete a practice ABC observation at school site.

34. Videos used in training available from Sopris West:
Scott, T. M., Liaupsin, C., & Nelson, C. M. (2005). Team-based Functional Assessment and Intervention Planning: A Simplified Teaming Process. Longmont, CO: Sopris West.

37. Practical FBA ABC FAQ
How many times should I observe the student in the routine?
Observe until you are convinced (about 5 to10 occurrences of behavior OR 3 to 1 ratio verifying FACTS summary).
You may have to go in on more than one day or period….but make sure you are going during identified routine.
Need to be convinced your observation data are accurately representing situation

38. Session #4: Function-based Behavior Support Planning
Review of concepts, skills from first three sessions
Review practice ABC observations & summarizing results
Provide opportunities for participants to practice the skills that they have learned in conducting interviews, observations, and constructing behavioral summary statements
Introduce the Competing Behavior Pathway and ideas for helping individual student support teams in designing function-based behavioral supports.

39. Competing Behavior Summary
Desired Behavior
Typical Consequence
Summary of Behavior
Setting Event
Antecedent
Problem Behavior
Maintaining Consequence
Alternate Behavior

40. Neutralize/
eliminate
setting
events
Add relevant
& remove
irrelevant
triggers
Teach
alternative
that is more
efficient
Add effective &
& remove
ineffective
reinforcers

41. Summary of Behavior - Shane
Setting Event
Antecedent
Behavior
Consequence
Teacher/Staff Interview Summary Statement
Academic Failure in previous class that day
Difficult tasks, any word problems & most math operations
Work refusal, doodling, not follow directives, yells at teacher, disruptive
Avoid math task, doodling, work refusal, sent to office
ABC Observation Summary Statement
Negative relationship w/ teacher???
Teacher confrontation
Work refusal, doodling, yells at teacher, disruptive
Avoid teacher confrontation, avoid math task, to office
Final Summary of Behavior (move to Behavior Plan)
Negative relationship w/ teacher & previous academic failure
Math task
Avoid math task & teacher confrontation

42. Examination of Efficacy of Practical FBA
To determine if staff with flexible roles in schools (e.g., counselors, administrators) can be trained to conduct FBA for students with mild to moderate behavior problems (i.e., students with recurring problems that do not involve physical aggression or violent behaviors).
To determine the efficacy and acceptability of Practical FBA methods and tools with school personnel.

43. Methods: 3 Phases of the Study
Phase 1- Practical FBA training on FBA tools & methods provided to 12 school professionals. -Pre- & Post-Tests of FBA knowledge Phase of the 12 Trained participants conducted an FBA according to procedures they were taught for one student within their school. -Using Practical FBA tools: interviewed, observed, and hypothesized summary of student behavior. Phase 3- Functional analyses conducted by researcher to test each participant’s hypothesis/summary statement -Experimental manipulations to determine the efficacy of the Practical FBA training .

44. Pre/Post Training FBA Knowledge
Results: Phase 1
Pre/Post Training FBA Knowledge
39%
N=12
99% Inter-rater Total Agreement on 25% of tests.
Overall Pretest M= 39.50% (SD=18.82%)
Overall Posttest M= 92.55% (SD=7.22%)

45. Acceptability Ratings
Results: Phase 2
Acceptability Ratings
Strongly Agree
Agree
Strongly disagree
N=10

46. Comparison of Summary Statements Generated from Interviews
Results: Phase 3
Comparison of Summary Statements Generated from Interviews
9 out of 10 of the summary statements hypothesized by the FACTS interviews with teachers were verified by results of experimental functional analysis.
The one FACTS summary statement that was not verified by FA actually resulted in further clarification from the direct observation.
The school participant decided to use the results from the direct observation which resulted in a function that was verified by experimental functional analysis.

47. Participant 2 Hypothesis: Access Adult Attention
All 10 of the FAs confirmed the Hypothesis Statements

48. Contributions of Study
Use of Basic FBA v. Comprehensive FBA
Proactive, Parsimonious, Practical
School personnel can conduct “valid” FBAs for students with mild to moderate behavioral problems.
Usefulness & acceptability of training/tools
Utility of FACTS interview tool, but implications of essential direct observation validation
Ideas on how to organize personnel within a school/district to implement best practices

49. How has Practical FBA been used?
Designed to be used by someone well-versed in FBA and behavioral principles (e.g., behavior specialist, school psychologist) to train school personnel.
Springfield Public Schools trained instructional assistants, teachers, principals, vice principals, counselors, and specialists from elementary, middle, and high schools (over 40 in attendance).
Rural Virginia K-8 School District (20 teachers and staff)

50. Different Formats Used
Middle and High School Administrators and Counselors
4 sessions, 1.5 hours, 2 weeks apart
K-12 educators – general education teachers, special education teachers, title reading teachers, classified employees
5 sessions, 2 hours, 2 weeks apart
Elementary teams – principals, counselors, school psychologists, special education teachers
3 sessions, 1 half day followed by 2 sessions, 1. 5 hours, 1 week apart

51. District in Virginia 2011 – 2012 Plan for District-Wide Behavior Support
Provide Practical FBA Training for all teachers within the district
From teacher self-nominations, provide coaching and feedback to complete function-based interventions

52. Practical FBA Training
Day 1
Part 1: Defining Behaviors
Part 2: Assessments
Part 3: Summarizing Behavior Information

53. 3-hour Practical FBA Training Results

54. Beyond Training to Professional Development
Teacher self nominations
FBA support
Walked through DASH assessment procedures
Provide feedback on data assessment
1-3 hours of direct coaching

55. From Practical FBA to Practical Training on Function-based Interventions
The most important purpose of conducting FBA is to inform the development of Behavior Support Plans that directly address the FUNCTION of student behavior

56. What the Research says
BSP’s in schools are not function-based, they are rarely related to the function of behavior identified in FBA
Blood & Neel, 2007; Etscheidt, 2006; Scott, et al., 2005; Van Acker, et al., 2005
We need to continue to examine how we train school personnel and their ability to develop function-based interventions with fidelity
Blood and Neil, 2007; Scott, & Kamps, 2007

57. Steps in Behavior Support Planning
Step 1: Develop Competing Behavior Pathway
Step 2: Develop Behavior Support Plan
Step 3: Implementation Plan
Step 4: Evaluation Plan
Step 5: Follow-up Meetings to Review Progress

58. Practical BSP Training: Identifying Function-Based Interventions
Borgmeier & Loman, in preparation

59. In One Hour Can We Train You to Identify Effective Behavioral Interventions for Challenging Students?
Borgmeier & Loman,
NWPBIS conferences in Oregon & Washington

60. Participants (n=361) NorthWest PBIS Conference Attendees
Oregon (n=150 & n=51)
Washington (n=46)
Vancouver, British Columbia Training (n=22)
School District in Washington (n=20)
Portland State University Students (n=72)

61. Participant Experience w/ FBA/BSP

62. Pre-Test/ Post-Test Design
1 hour training + 15 min for Pre & Post-test

63. Training format Identify function-based interventions for:
Alternate Behavior
Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence Interventions
Training Sequence
Provide Rationale
Present Critical Features of Intervention
Model selection of Best intervention option w/ think-aloud applying critical features
Practice w/ Partner & Review
Test (Forms Counterbalanced between groups)

64. Example Training Slides

65. Behavior Support Planning
Identify a range of interventions that address prevention (A), teaching (B) & consequences (C)
You may not use them all, but it is good to identify multiple interventions options across A, B & C

66. Start w/ Summary of Behavior from FBA
Targeted Routine
Antecedent
Maintaining Consequence & Function
Problem Behavior

67. FBA: Summary of Behavior
Targeted Routine
Maintaining Consequence & Function
Antecedent
Problem Behavior
FUNCTION
FUNCTION is where student behavior intersects with the environment
Function = Learning
Student learns…. When (A), if I (B), then (C)… Function = how I benefit so I keep doing B

68. Function Based Interventions
When generating interventions we use Function to develop ideas
to change A, B & C
Targeted Routine
Maintaining Consequence & Function
Antecedent
Problem Behavior
FUNCTION
Function should guide selection of alternative/ replacement behaviors

69. Develop the Competing Behavior Pathway
Desired Behavior
Natural Consequence
Targeted Routine
Antecedent
Maintaining Consequence & Function
Problem Behavior
Alternate Behavior
Start by identifying the Alternate Behavior … and then the Desired Behavior

70. Why the Alternate Behavior
Why the Alternate Behavior? Why can’t we go right to the Desired Behavior?
4. The student is going to need to gain the math skills before being able to do this like peers
3. Look how different this is from what’s happening now
1. This is what we’re asking the student to do.
Complete math problem
Success, another problem
Given double digit addn problems
Sent back to table (escape task)
None identified
Throws a Tantrum
2. This is what the student wants now.
Raise hand & ask for break
5. So… in the meantime we use the alternate behavior

71. Critical Features of a Replacement / Alternate Behavior
An appropriate Replacement Behavior:
Serves the same function as the problem behavior
Is easier to do & more efficient than the problem behavior
Alternate Behaviors require less physical effort & provide quicker, more reliable access to desired outcome/response than problem behavior
Is Socially acceptable 71

72. Which of the Following are Appropriate Replacement Behaviors?
Leslie is 12, has severe intellectual disabilities, does not use words, and hits her head. Head hitting is maintained by adult attention during work periods.
Which is the best Replacement Behavior
hide under her desk and be ignored
sign for “more” to another student
take completed work up to show the teacher
move to sit by another student
Use picture communication system to request teacher help
Start w/ the Function
1. Serve same Function? Does it provide adult attn?
2. Is Behavior easier to do than problem behavior?
3. Is Behavior socially acceptable? 72

73. Then, must explicitly TEACH alternative behavior & desired behaviors

74. Then, move to preventing the problem behavior & prompt alternative

75. Antecedent Interventions
Prevent & Prompt

76. Antecedent Interventions
When generating interventions we use Function to develop ideas
to change A, B & C
Targeted Routine
Maintaining Consequence & Function
Antecedent
Problem Behavior
FUNCTION
Function should guide selection of prevention strategies
Function should guide selection of alternative/ replacement behaviors

77. Antecedent Interventions
Critical features of Antecedent Interventions to prevent the Problem Behavior?
Does the intervention directly address:
the antecedent?
the Function of the problem behavior?
Yes or No?
Why?

78. Behavior Support Planning

79. Function Based Interventions
When generating interventions we use Function to develop ideas to
change A, B & C
Targeted Routine
Maintaining Consequence & Function
Antecedent
Problem Behavior
FUNCTION
Function should guide selection of consequences: (+) and (-)
Function should guide selection of prevention strategies
Function should guide selection of alternative/ replacement behaviors

80. Consequence Intervention: Reinforcing Positive Behavior
Steps in Identifying Reinforcers?
Critical features of Reinforcers?
1. Identify an intervention to Reinforce the Alternate Behavior
Is reinforcer valued? (start w/ function of behavior)
b) Are expectations & timeframes reasonable for the student?
Yes or No?
Why?
2. Identify an intervention to Reinforce the Desired Behavior

81. Consequence Intervention Responding to Problem Behavior
Steps in Identifying Responses to Problem Behavior?
Yes or No?
Why?
1. Prompt the Alternate Behavior at earliest signs of problem behavior
2. Identify a response to problem behavior that does not reinforce the Problem Behavior

82. Morgan’s Function-Based Intervention

83. Results Overall Mean Increase by 30%

84. Percent Correct Pre v Post By Function

88. Implications
We can improve the ability of school personnel to select function-based interventions from a list of interventions using a vignette
Previous to training, participants had the most difficult time:
Identifying Alternative Behaviors
Teaching Alternative Behaviors
Reinforcing Alternative Behaviors
Both Before and After Training participants had difficulty with:
Interventions for Responding to Attention Maintained Behavior

89. Limitations Continue to develop the assessment tools
Reliability & Validity testing
Validity study: Experts indicating logic for identifying function-based interventions.
Continue to explore features of Function-based interventions

90. Next Steps
Expand training to be more comprehensive (not confined to 1 hour)
Train beyond choice selection
Assess maintenance of skills
Assess generalization of skills to real cases
Move beyond choice selection to intervention identification
Kathleen Strickland-Cohen Dissertation
Efficacy of Training School Personnel to Build Behavioral Interventions from Functional Assessment Information

91. Four 1-Hour Training Sessions
Session #1: Using FBA data to build competing behavior pathways
Session #2: Identifying and selecting function- based prevention, teaching, and consequence strategies
Session #3: Contextual fit, implementation and evaluation planning
Session #4: Leading a BSP team

92. Methods by Phase
Phase 1: From “Practical FBA” to BSP training series – 13 BSP Team Leaders
Pretest of behavioral knowledge
Pre- & Post-tests of BSP development knowledge
Preliminary Results: From 62% to 88%
Phase 2: Nine participants from Phase I lead behavior support teams in development of BSP for 1 student
BSPs assessed for technical adequacy and contextual fit
Phase 3: Seven Student BSPs implemented
Direct observation data to assess:
Impact on student behavior
Fidelity of Implementation

93. Initial Results

94. References
Blood, E., & Neel, R. S. (2007). From FBA to Implementation: A Look at What Is Actually Being Delivered. Education and Treatment of Children, 30(4),
Etscheidt, S. (2006). Behavioral Intervention Plans: Pedagogical and Legal Analysis of Issues. Behavioral Disorders, 31(2),
Scott, T. M., & Kamps, D. M. (2007). The Future of Functional Behavioral Assessment in School Settings. Behavioral Disorders, 32(3),
Scott, T. M., McIntyre, J., Liaupsin, C., Nelson, C., Conroy, M., & Payne, L. (2005). An Examination of the Relation between Functional Behavior Assessment and Selected Intervention Strategies with School-Based Teams. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 7(4),
Van Acker, R., Boreson, L., Gable, R. A., & Potterton, T. (2005). Are We on the Right Course? Lessons Learned about Current FBA/BIP Practices in Schools. Journal of Behavioral Education, 14(1),

95. Slides are available on-line at: www.practicalfba.pbworks.com
Questions? Contact: