Thanks!Thanks, Tzoya, that's a keeper!bump
Saw this today on another site...the Nevada State definition of Functional Behavioral Assessment. Thought it was simple and succinct and worth posting:
In Nevada our regs define "Assessment of the function of behavior" as
follows:
If the functional behavior of a pupil is assessed, the assessment must
include:
1. Systematic observation of the occurrence of the targeted behavior for an
accurate
definition and description of the frequency, duration and intensity of the
behavior.
2. Systematic observation of the events that immediately precede each
display of the
targeted behavior and are associated with the display of the behavior.
3. Systematic observation and analysis of the consequences following the
display of the
targeted behavior to identify the specific environmental or physiological
outcomes
produced by the behavior in order to determine the function that the
behavior serves for
the pupil. The communicative intent of the targeted behavior must be
identified in terms
of what the pupil is either requesting or protesting through the display of
the behavior.
4. Analysis of the settings in which the targeted behavior occurs most
frequently. Factors
that may be considered include the physical setting, the social setting, the
activities and
the nature of instruction, scheduling, the quality of communication between
the pupil and
staff and other pupils, the degree of participation of the pupil in the
setting, the amount
and quality of social interaction, the degree of choice and the variety of
activities.
5. Review of records for health and medical factors which may influence the
targeted
behavior, including, without limitation, levels of medication, sleep cycles,
health and
diet.
6. Review of the history of the targeted behavior to include the
effectiveness of any
intervention previously used.
As used in this section, "targeted behavior" means the particular adaptive
or
inappropriate behavior of the pupil that the person conducting the
assessment monitors in
order to promote adaptive behavior and reduce the occurrence of
inappropriate behavior.