1. Identifying Function- Based Interventions Chris Borgmeier, PhD cborgmei@pdx.edu Sheldon Loman, PhD sheldon.loman@pdx.edu Portland State University

2. Activity 1: Function Based Interventions Complete Pre-Test

3. Behavior Support Planning FBA  BSP The most important purpose of conducting FBA is to inform the development of comprehensive Behavior Support Plans that directly address the FUNCTION of student behavior

4. 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

5. Function Based Interventions

6. Function-Based Interventions Start with FBA results = Summary of Behavior Summary of Behavior should include a detailed and specific description of:  Targeted Routine  Antecedents triggering behavior  Problem Behavior  Consequence/Outcome of Problem Behavior  Function of Behavior

7. Analyzing the Summary of Behavior Read over the Summary of Behavior, but pay special attention to the Function identified for the problem behavior  The Function of Behavior will be central to identifying effective interventions to address: Antecedent Behaviors to Teach & Consequences

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

9. FBA: Summary of Behavior Maintaining Consequence & Function Problem Behavior Antecedent 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 Targeted Routine

10. Competing Behavior Pathway

11. Completed from FBA

12. So this is what we want…. Maintaining Consequence & Function Problem Behavior Alternate Behavior Antecedent Targeted Routine Desired Behavior Natural Consequence But… start with the Alternate Behavior? Why can’t we go right to the Desired Behavior?

13. Understanding Desired Behavior Long-term goal = to follow regular classrooms routines and norms, as independently as possible (w/ supports reduced or eliminated) and looking as similar as possible to peers Often requires a sustained, focused teaching effort to build missing skills  Academic deficits (often related to Avoiding difficult tasks) Example: student avoids reading because 3 grade levels behind in reading… requires intensive reading instruction to close gap  Social Skills deficits (often related to seeking attention) Example: student seeks negative attention due to isolation from peers and adults resulting from aggressive behavior and limited social skills… requires sustained, targeted social skill instruction generalized to natural context  Communication deficit Example: student screams and rocks vigorously back and forth due to limited communication skills which might result in getting a snack… requires teaching communication skills (PECS, sign language, etc.)  Organizational/school skills deficits Example: student doesn’t complete homework due to limited scheduling and organization strategies which might result in (a) task avoidance due to limited background knowledge or (b) avoiding negative interactions with teacher because homework is frequently not done… requires teaching school skills

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

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

16. Understanding Alternate/ Replacement Behaviors Alternate Behaviors are:  an immediate attempt to reduce disruption & potentially dangerous behavior in the classroom Take some of the pressure off the teacher  designed to actively begin breaking the student’s habit of using problem behavior to meet their needs, by replacing it with a more acceptable alternate behavior

17. Essential Characteristics of a Replacement / Alternate Behavior An appropriate Replacement Behavior:  Serves the same function as the problem behavior  Is easier to do and 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

18. 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?

19. Which of the Following are Appropriate Replacement Behaviors? Jason is nine and cries when asked to do difficult tasks. The crying is maintained by avoiding or escaping difficult tasks. Possible Replacement Behaviors:  More rewards for doing tasks  Asking for an easier task/ worksheet  Asking to play w/ his Gameboy  Requesting adult attention  Asking to have soda after tasks are done 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?

20. Competing Behavior Pathway: Alternative Behavior Example: Jason (from previous example) Antecedent Problem Behavior Consequence Avoid/Escape Difficult Task Crying Asking for an easier task/ worksheet Asked to do difficult tasks NOTE: This antecedent is not specific enough

21. Identifying the Alternate Behavior 1. Serve same Function? Does it allow escape task? 2. Is Behavior easier to do than problem behavior? 3. Is Behavior socially acceptable? Yes or No? Why? What are the critical features of an Alternate Behavior?

22. Competing Behavior Pathway

23. Activity 2 - Jordan With a partner go through each of the Competing Behavior Pathway options in Pre- Test #2  Yes or No & Why

24. Developing Function-Based Interventions

25. 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

26. Teaching Behavior Interventions

27. Teaching Behavior Teaching 1) Identify skill(s) to teach  Dual focus when teaching behavior Alternate Behavior Desired Behavior ALWAYS START with the Alternative Behavior -FIRST - Teach the alternate behavior you identified in Competing Behavior Pathway -Teaching = Review & practice regularly -THEN – teach the Desired Behavior -this may be something to focus on immediately, or only after the student is fluent with the alternative behavior

28. Teaching Behavior Don’t assume student already has Alternate Behavior in their skill set 1) Develop an observable definition of behavior  Identify examples & non-examples 2) Model/ Lead/ Test 3) Schedule Review & Practice of Skill/ Behavior Regularly

29. Teaching Behavior 1. First teach the Alternate Behavior What are the critical features of Teaching Interventions? Does Alt. Beh.: a)Serve same Function? b)Is it Easier? c)Socially acceptable? Yes or No? Why?

30. Example: Teaching Behavior A  B  C Teach Dexter to raise his hand & ask for a break, instead of engaging in negative behavior. *By teaching Dexter an easier alternate behavior to get what he wants, we’re making the problem behavior Inefficient. Dexter will need frequent practice, precorrections, and prompts to help him get in the habit of using the alternate behavior

31. With a partner go through each of the Teaching Behavior options in Pre-Test #2  Yes or No & Why Activity 3

32. Teaching Interventions: Desired Behavior Achieving the Desired Behavior most often requires a sustained, focused teaching effort to build missing skills  Academic deficits (often related to Avoiding difficult tasks) Example: student avoids reading because 3 grade levels behind in reading… requires intensive reading instruction to close gap  Social Skills deficits (often related to seeking attention) Example: student seeks negative attention due to isolation from peers and adults resulting from aggressive behavior and limited social skills… requires sustained, targeted social skill instruction generalized to natural context  Communication deficit Example: student screams and rocks vigorously back and forth due to limited communication skills which might result in getting a snack… requires teaching communication skills (PECS, sign language, etc.)  Organizational/school skills deficits Example: student doesn’t complete homework due to limited scheduling and organization strategies which might result in (a) task avoidance due to limited background knowledge or (b) avoiding negative interactions with teacher because homework is frequently not done… requires teaching school skills

33. 2. Next, teach content required to support student to achieve the Desired Behavior What do we need to teach student to achieve the desired behavior?

34. Example: Teaching Behavior A  B  C We also may want to provide additional instruction in multi-digit multiplication & division to help Dexter gain confidence in completing math problems independently *By providing Dexter additional instruction in multi-digit multiplication & division, we can eventually make the problem behavior unnecessary.

35. Antecedent Interventions Prevent & Prompt

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

37. Antecedent Interventions Preventing Problem Behavior Prevention- Change the trigger that sets off the problem behavior (A) Examine the Antecedent & Function of the Problem Behavior (B) Change the antecedent so student will no longer need to use problem behavior (make the problem behavior Irrelevant) The best choices for Antecedent changes: 1. Directly address the identified antecedent 2. must address the function the problem behavior is serving

38. Antecedent Interventions Directly address the identified antecedent  Antecedent = Asked to read aloud in class Potential options that more directly address the antecedent  Do not ask student to read aloud in class  Give student passage in advance to practice pre-reading  Let student read 1 sentence directions they are familiar with, instead of entire paragraphs from the text Non-examples (do not directly address antecedent)  Move student closer to the teacher  Attend a counseling group about anger management  Check-in with teacher before reading group  Now, why is Function important?

39. Antecedent interventions must address the function the problem behavior serves  Antecedent = Asked to read aloud in class +  Function = Avoid any public presentation (not about reading difficulty; more related to social anxiety) Does the Intervention address the Function of Behavior  Do not ask student to read aloud in class (or respond publicly)  Give student passage in advance to practice pre-reading  Let student read 1 sentence directions they are familiar with, instead of entire paragraphs from the text Does the intervention address the function of behavior?

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

41. Antecedent Interventions A  B  C Instead of giving Dexter the class math assignment of multi- digit multiplication & division problems, let’s give him an assignment he can be more successful with (e.g. 4 single digit mult/div problems for every 1 multi-digit problem) * By changing A, we can PREVENT Dexter’s need to engage in negative behavior, making it Irrelevant

42. Activity 4 With a partner go through each of the Antecedent Interventions options in Pre-Test #2  Yes or No & Why

43. 2. Next, identify ways to prompt/ precorrect the alternate & desired behavior

44. Consequence Interventions Reinforcing Behavior

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

46. Consequence Interventions Reinforcing Behavior Reinforcement should focus on 2 different sets of behaviors  Alternative Behavior & Desired Behavior 1. Reinforcing the Alternative Behavior  When the student engages in the alternative behavior, quickly provide the student with an outcome that matches the outcome/ function of the problem behavior  E.g. if student raises hand to request an easier, substitute assignment; in order to escape difficult tasks  then quickly provide the student with the easier assignment

47. Consequence Interventions Reinforcing Behavior 2. Reinforcing the Desired Behavior(s), or approximations of the desired behavior  The ultimate plan is to have the student move beyond the alternative behavior to using the desired behavior  Reinforcing this progression should start from the beginning of the intervention

48. Consequence Interventions Reinforcing Behavior Considerations for Reinforcing Desired Behavior  The goals & expectations for desired behavior must be reasonable Reasonable expectations of student behavior  EXAMPLE: on a daily basis the student is out of seat & off task the entire period & has not turned in any work the entire term  Probably NOT a Reasonable Expectation = student to be in seat the whole class period and turn in completed worksheets  More Reasonable approximations (Start Small & Build on Success):  Turns in assignments 50% completed  On task and trying to complete work for 15 minutes each period

49. Consequence Interventions Reinforcing Behavior Considerations for Reinforcing Desired Behavior  The timeframe for goals & expectations for desired behavior must be reasonable  In the Beginning try to Reinforce Every occurrence or approximation  Reasonable timeframes for Reinforcement Probably NOT Reasonable Timeframes for reinforcement  If student turns in all worksheets for week 1, he will earn 15 min. in skate park on Friday  If student is in seat and on-task for the entire period, he will earn a candy bar More Reasonable Timeframes for reinforcement  If student completes 5 problems, he can choose 3 problems to cross off the worksheet  If student is on task for 10 min., he will earn 4 min. of computer time

50. Consequence Interventions Reinforcing Behavior Considerations for Reinforcing Desired Behavior  The reinforcer must be valued by the student  The function of behavior is a good place to start when identifying valued reinforcers  e.g. If the function of behavior is to Gain Peer Attention, the reinforcer should give access to Peer Attention  e.g. if the function of behavior is to Avoid Difficult Task the reinforcer could be a “Free Homework Pass”

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

52. Activity 5 With a partner go through each of the Positive Consequence Interventions options in Pre-Test #2  Yes or No & Why

53. Consequence Interventions Responding to Problem Behavior

54. Consequence Interventions Responding to Problem Behavior Responding to Problem Behavior should focus on 2 things:  Redirecting to the Alternative Behavior  Active Extinction of the Problem Behavior Do NOT let the problem behavior be effective in giving the student what they want 1. Redirecting to the Alternative Behavior  When the student engages in the alternative behavior, quickly provide the student with an outcome that matches the function of the problem behavior  This should also help to prevent escalation  E.g. if student raises hand to request an easier, substitute assignment; in order to escape difficult tasks  then quickly provide the student with the easier assignment

55. Consequence Interventions Responding to Problem Behavior 2. Active Extinction of the Problem Behavior  Make sure the problem behavior no longer works for the student… If using a consequence as a response to negative behavior, make sure the consequence is not providing the desired function for the student

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

57. Example: Consequence Interventions A  B  C We must refuse to (C) let Dexter avoid difficult math tasks by (B) engaging in disrespectful behavior & Instead prompt him to raise his hand and (C) reward him for (B) raising his hand & asking for a break (Alternate Behvior) *By not providing Dexter w/ what he wants when he engages in disrespectful behavior we are making the problem behavior Ineffective. It is important that we work hard to Reinforce Dexter for engaging in the alternate behavior, or he is likely to go back to & escalate the problem behavior

58. Activity 6 With a partner go through each of the Negative Consequence Interventions options in Pre-Test #2  Yes or No & Why

59. Morgan’s Function-Based Intervention

60. Activity 7 Complete Post-test

61. Function Based Interventions Maintaining Consequence & Function Problem Behavior Antecedent FUNCTION AVOIDING DIFFICULT TASK Prevent Make task less difficult to avoid difficult task Alternate behavior Must allow student to avoid difficult task Consequence (+) Reinforce (a) alternate behavior w/ oppt’y to avoid task & (b) desired behavior (effort on task) (-) problem behavior should not result in avoiding task; redirect to Alt. behavior When generating interventions we use Function to develop ideas to change A, B & C Targeted Routine

62. Function Based Interventions Maintaining Consequence & Function Problem Behavior Antecedent FUNCTION GETTING ADULT ATTENTION Prevent Provide adult Attention in advance & often Alternate behavior Must give student access to adult attention Consequence (+) Reinforce both alternate behavior & desired behavior w/ adult attention (-) problem behavior should not result in adult attention; redirect to Alt. behavior When generating interventions we use Function to develop ideas to change A, B & C Targeted Routine

63. Antecedent Interventions

64. Proactive (PBS) Interventions Attention Seeking A - PREVENTION Interventions occurring before the behavior occurs Prevention (give attention early for positive) Check-in – provide adult attention immediately upon student arrival Give student leadership responsibility or a class ‘job’ that requires the student to interact w/ staff Place student in desk where they are easily accessible for frequent staff attention Give student frequent intermittent attention for positive or neutral behavior PreCorrect - Frequently & deliberately remind student to raise their hand and wait patiently if they want your attention

65. Proactive (PBS) Interventions Avoid Task A - PREVENTION Interventions occurring before the behavior occurs Prevention (modify task or provide support) Modify assignments to meet student instructional/skill level (adjust timelines, provide graphic organizers, break in to smaller chunks, etc.) Assign student to work with a peer Provide additional instruction/support Provide visual prompt to cue steps for completing tasks student struggles with Provide additional support focused on instructional skills (Homework Club, study hall, etc.) PreTeaching content PreCorrect - Frequently & deliberately remind student to ask for help

66. Teaching Behavior Interventions

67. Proactive (PBS) Interventions Attention Seeking B - TEACH Behaviors to use instead of the problem behavior Teach student more appropriate ways to ask for adult attention Identify and teach specific examples of ways to ask for attention -Raise hand and wait patiently for teacher to call on you -likely need to differentiate (large group, small \ group, work time, etc.)

68. Proactive (PBS) Interventions Avoid Task B - TEACH Behaviors to use instead of the problem behavior Teach student more appropriate ways to ask for help from teacher or peers Provide additional instruction on skill deficits Identify and teach specific examples of ways to ask for help -Raise hand and wait patiently for teacher to call on you -teach student to use a break card -likely need to differentiate (large group, small \ group, work time, etc.)

69. Proactive (PBS) Interventions Avoid Task B - TEACH Desired Behaviors Provide academic instruction/support to address student skill deficits -More focused instruction in class - Additional instructional group - Special Education support for academic deficit - additional support and practice at home -additional assessment to identify specific skill deficits

70. Consequence Interventions

71. PBS Interventions Attention Seeking RESPONSE TO BEHAVIOR Intervention occurs after (in response to) positive or negative behavior Respond quickly if student asks appropriate for adult attention Give the student frequent adult attention for positive behavior Student earns ‘lunch w/ teacher’ when student earns points for paying attn in class & asking appropriately for attention Eliminate/minimize the amount of attention provided to a student for engaging in problem behavior Limit verbal interaction – create a signal to prompt the student to stop the problem behavior Avoid power struggles C -

72. PBS Interventions Attention Seeking C Sometimes students need additional encouragement to engage in the desired behavior… When using additional incentives to encourage student positive behavior If students desire adult attention, use it as an incentive -lunch with teacher -1:1 game with favorite staff, etc. -special teacher assistant

73. PBS Interventions Avoid Task RESPONSE TO BEHAVIOR Intervention occurs after (in response to) positive or negative behavior Respond quickly if student asks for help or for a break Reward students for on task, trying hard, work completion & for asking for a break or help appropriately Eliminate/minimize the amount of missed instructional time or work provided to a student for engaging in problem behavior However, need to make sure student is capable of doing work… or provide support/instruction so student can complete the work C -

74. PBS Interventions Avoid Task C Sometimes students need additional encouragement to engage in the desired behavior… When using additional incentives to encourage student positive behavior If students is attempting to avoid tasks, you might use free homework passes or reduced numbers of problems as an incentive