Overview of Functions
This function is when behavior happens to get a preferred item or activity.
What is access to tangibles?
A child throws crayons, and the teacher gives them back to keep them busy
What is access to tangibles?
If the function is attention, you should provide this when the student engages in appropriate behavior.
What is positive reinforcement (attention for appropriate behavior)?
Giving choices before a behavior occurs is this type of strategy.
What is a proactive strategy?
What does the "A" in ABC data stand for, and what does it mean?
What is antecedent - It refers to what happens right before a behavior occurs — the event, action, or situation that triggers the behavior?
This function is when behavior allows the learner to stop, delay, or avoid a demand
What is escape/avoidance?
A student yells until the teacher tells them “Calm down, I’m listening.”
What is attention?
If the function is escape, instead of removing all demands, you can use this strategy.
What is demand fading/breaks with expectations?
Removing materials or blocking dangerous behavior is this type of strategy.
What is a reactive strategy?
What does the "B" in ABC data stand for, and what does it mean?
What is behavior - Any human action that can be observed and measured?
This function is when behavior gets attention from peers or adults.
What is social attention?
A child covers their ears and screams during a loud assembly.
What is automatic (sensory avoidance)?
If the function is tangibles, the replacement skill often taught is this.
What is requesting (manding)?
Teaching replacement communication (e.g., “Help please”) is considered this.
What is a proactive strategy?
What does the "C" in ABC data stand for, and what does it mean?
What is consequence - what happens after the behavior?
This function is when behavior produces sensory stimulation that doesn’t rely on others.
What is automatic reinforcement (sensory)?
A student says they have a stomach ache and drops to the floor whenever given a math worksheet.
What is escape?
If the function is sensory, one way to support is offering this.
What are sensory alternatives/replacement activities?
Name 4 proactive strategies:
What are visual schedules, pre-teaching, non contingent reinforcement, clear expectations, choice making, task modification, movement breaks, etc.
Instead of saying “The student was mad,” documentation should use this kind of language.
What is objective/observable language?
These are the four primary functions of behavior.
What are escape, attention, tangibles, and automatic?
A teen rocks back and forth, hums, and flaps hands in a quiet classroom.
What is automatic (sensory)?
This strategy means reinforcing appropriate alternatives and not reinforcing the problem behavior.
What is differential reinforcement?
Teaching a student to say "I need a break please" instead of dropping to the floor is this type of intervention AND is this proactive or reactive?
What is Functional Communication Training and Proactive?
When documenting functions, you should avoid assuming this.
What is intent or motive (instead describe what you observed)?