Functional Analysis Explained

Functional Analysis Explained


What is a Functional Analysis? Detective Work!

Today, I want to talk about a behaviour analysis tool called Functional Analysis and explain how it helps us figure out why people do what they do. See, when we understand the reasons behind behaviors, we can find better ways to intervene and make positive changes.

A functional analysis is like detective work, trying to uncover the purpose a behavior serves for someone. Is it for attention, escaping something they don't like, getting stuff they want, or maybe it fulfills a sensory need? By finding alternative behaviors that meet the same needs, we can help people replace problematic behaviors with healthier ones. This approach has been successful in reducing things like self-injury, aggression, and property damage. There are many types of functional analysis methods. But for the purposes of this blog I will break them down into two main types - Traditional and New.

Traditional Functional Analysis 

Traditional Functional Analysis methods are effective in identifying the function of interfering behaviour. In a traditional experimental functional analysis, behaviour analysts test behaviour under different conditions - typically attention, escape, tangible, and sensory. There are some drawbacks to the traditional functional analysis, though. For one, it can be time-consuming and impractical to do in settings where time and resources are limited. Another potential problem with the traditional approach is that the testing conditions are contrived and is not an accurate representation of an individual's behaviour in their natural environment. As a result, treatment plans based on traditional functional analysis methods may not always address the specific context and reasons why the behaviour occurs.

New Functional Analysis 

Now, let's dive into the work of Dr. Gregory Hanley, a super smart psychologist. Dr. Hanley believes that the best way to teach children is when they're in a state of happiness, relaxation, and engagement (HRE). He watches closely to see when kids are in this positive state, how they get there, and how to keep them there. By tracking when they're in HRE versus when problem behaviors arise, behaviour analysts can be more proactive in helping them stay in that happy place. Dr. Hanley focuses on understanding why the problem behaviors happen, so he can find different ways to meet those needs and make life better for the children. So far, his methods have shown great results in reducing challenging behaviors.

A Powerful Tool

Overall, a functional analysis is a powerful tool for understanding why a behaviour is happening and how to address it. By digging deep into our behaviour analysis tool box and using Functional Analysis, along with Dr. Hanley's HRE approach, we can better understand and address challenging behaviors. The traditional FA method is effective in identifying the function of interfering behaviour, but it has its drawbacks. Newer functional analysis approaches provide a quicker and more practical approach to understanding the function of behaviour. 

If you're looking to determine the function of behaviour, the synthesized FA approach is worth discussing with your ABA therapy team. It's all about finding out the "why" behind those behaviors and helping individuals replace them with positive alternatives. Keep on learning and growing, and remember, there's always a way to make things better!

Ready to see how ABA in the GTA can make a difference for your family? Contact Us to find out!

Read a PDF article about the new FA approach here!

Watch a video on the new FA approach here 


By: Julie Scher, BCBA

References:

Hanley, G. P., Jin, C. S., Thompson, N. R., & Becker, A. (2014). Producing meaningful improvements in problem behavior of children with autism via synthesized analyses and treatments. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47(1), 16-36. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.106  

Carr, J. E., & Durand, V. M. (1985). Reducing behavior problems through functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18(2), 111-126. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111



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