Functional Assessments and Functional Analyses are the gold standard of Behavior Analysis. They are the best technology we have to show the effectiveness and function of antecedent and consequence manipulation.

If you can’t determine the function of a behavior from ABC data or from functional assessment interviews,, you would conduct a formal functional analysis.

There are 2 different methods for conducting a forma functional analysis. One method is the traditional way – developed by Brian Iwata – Used to determine your traditional functions of Sensory, Escape, Attention, Tangible (SR+/SR-).

The other method is Gregory Hanley’s Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) to problem behavior. He states that Today’s ABA must be compassionate and that there is more to behavior than just the traditional functions. The true measure of determining function is whether we can turn on and off the behavior. He does this through conducting an IISCA.

Regardless of which FA you conduct, the first step is getting cargiver’s consent. This includes explaining to them the costs and benefits of a functional analysis (and understanding them yourself!).

Then operationally define the problem behavior if you have not done so already. Be sure that your entire team is consistent with what they would record as problem behavior vs. what they would not. Here are some great examples.

Then become familiar with the different conditions you’ll be running (“FA Condition Outline”). Here is a great FBA workbook to help.

Use the “FA Data Sheet” to record the frequency of the behaviours during the FA.

If you are doing Hanley’s PFA, be sure that you have watched one of his webinars and check out his website for all is data sheets.