In attempting to provide adequate and effective interventions for indivduals with Autism and other developmenetal disorders a functional analysis is imperative to getting started. Firstly, before doing any type of behavior management therapy a functional analysis needs to be done. This requires finding the ABCs of an indivdual. The A in this acronym stands for the "antecedent" or triggereing agent in the environment. This is some stimuli that is present before some behavior occurs. For example, Johnny will likely hit his sister when she turns off the television. The B is the "behavior" that is emitted from an indivdual. When determining a behavior it is very imporatnt that a specific and measurable behavioral definition is provided. As an example, Johnny will raise his hand over his shoulder with a closed fist striking his sister as he comes down with his fist 3 times a day. The C is the "consequence" that follows the behavior emitted from an indivdual. This is the positive or negative consequence given by others in the environment to increase or decrease a behavior. Comsequences can take the form of a verbal response, edible, tangible or textual. In the above example, when Johnny engages in this behavior his give Johnny instructions as to what to say to get what he wants and then give him what hes desires. In addition to knowing the ABCs of an indivdual it is imporatant to find out the function of the behavior. There are four functions that need to be accounted for in analyzing an indivdual. The first is that an indivdual might engage in behavior for access to an item. Most indivduals will display negative behaviors such as crying or whining to get acces to something that they desire. Secondly, esacpe/ avoidance of something in the environment. With escape, an indivdualis attempting to escape from a novel event that has occured. in avoidance it is done because of a past aversive history with a stimuli. Thirdly, is attention seeking for something in the environment. This could be negative or postive but something done overtly. Lastly is self stimulatory behavior in which and indivdual does a behavior due to being understimulated or overstimulated. In summary, all the items discussed in the article are essentail to getiing started with facilitating postive behavior chnage. When anaylzing for th ABCs of behavior it is imporatnt to get as deatailed as possible to eliminate the need to guess at what is occuring in an indivdual. Also, finding out the functions of an indivdual put you ina better position to determine why an indivdual displays a behavior and how to intervene. Mike Magana is a Behavior Consualtant that worked with indivduals with Autism and other developmental disorders and has the goal of opening a resource center for parents of these indivduals.
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