9

Summary

This script delves into identifying and addressing problem behaviors through objective criteria, ensuring client well-being is central to intervention plans. It outlines the four criteria for behavior reduction, including harm, property damage, and impacts on development. The necessity of operational definitions for consistency and reliability in behavior modification is emphasized. The script further explains the process of conducting a functional behavior assessment to determine the function of behaviors and develop effective intervention plans, including the use of event recording for data collection.

Takeaways

• 📝 Problem behaviors are targeted for reduction or elimination when they present a problem for a client, and objective criteria are used to determine what constitutes a problem behavior.
• 🚫 It is unethical to target a behavior for reduction simply because it is annoying to someone; the well-being of the client must be the focus of intervention plans.
• 🔍 Behaviors must meet one of four criteria to be considered for reduction: causing harm, damaging property, interfering with learning or development, or impacting the client's quality of life.
• 🤝 Consent from caregivers and, if possible, the client is crucial before targeting a behavior for change.
• 🎯 After identifying a problem behavior, it is given a specific operational definition to ensure consistency and reliability in intervention programs.
• 📖 Operational definitions must be clear, complete, observable, measurable, and include a specific onset and offset for the behavior.
• 👀 Operational definitions are objective, based on observable behaviors, and avoid including subjective interpretations or states of being.
• 📏 They should be concise, avoiding unnecessary details that could make the definition cumbersome or subjective.
• 🔧 A functional behavior assessment (FBA) is conducted to determine why a behavior occurs and to develop a behavior intervention plan (BIP) to address it.
• 🛠️ The BIP outlines strategies to reduce the problem behavior and increase more appropriate or helpful alternatives, based on the function of the behavior identified during the FBA.
• 📋 Event recording is a method of data collection used during assessment and intervention, documenting antecedents, behaviors, and consequences (ABC data) to remain objective and monitor changes.

Q & A

What are problem behaviors and why are they targeted for reduction or elimination?

Problem behaviors are actions that present a problem for a client, and they are targeted for reduction or elimination to improve the client's well-being and safety. These behaviors are determined by specific, objective criteria rather than subjective annoyance.

What are the four criteria that behaviors must meet to be considered for reduction or elimination?

Behaviors must meet one of the following four criteria: causing or potentially causing harm to the client or others, causing damage to property, interfering with the client's learning and progress, or having a negative impact on the client's development.

Why is it important to get consent from caregivers and the client before targeting a behavior for change?

Getting consent ensures that the intervention plan respects the autonomy and wishes of the client and their caregivers, and it promotes a collaborative approach to behavior change.

What is an operational definition and why is it necessary?

An operational definition is a specific and measurable description of a target behavior that ensures consistency in how the behavior is identified and measured. It is necessary for effective behavior reduction plans and helps maintain objectivity and reliability in interventions.

What criteria must operational definitions meet?

Operational definitions must be clear, complete, observable, measurable, and include a specific onset and offset. They should avoid ambiguity and unnecessary details to ensure consistency and objectivity.

How does the process of event recording contribute to understanding and addressing problem behaviors?

Event recording involves documenting the antecedents, behaviors, and consequences (ABC data) of each occurrence of a target behavior. This data helps specialists understand the environmental factors maintaining the behavior and monitor changes during intervention.

What is a functional behavior assessment (FBA) and why is it conducted?

A functional behavior assessment (FBA) is a process used by behavior specialists to determine the functions or reasons behind a target behavior. It is conducted to identify environmental factors maintaining the behavior and to develop a behavior intervention plan that addresses those factors.

What are the four main categories of functions of behavior as determined by functional analyses?

The four main categories of functions of behavior are attention, access, escape/avoidance, and automatic. These categories help determine why a behavior is happening and guide the development of interventions.

What is a behavior intervention plan (BIP) and what does it typically include?

A behavior intervention plan (BIP) is a detailed plan outlining how to decrease a target problem behavior and increase replacement behaviors. It includes the target behavior definition, goals, hypothesized function, interventions, replacement behaviors, teaching strategies, and data collection methods.

Why is it important for behavior technicians to understand operational definitions and the BIP?

Understanding operational definitions and the BIP ensures that behavior technicians can accurately intervene on target behaviors and collect reliable data, which is crucial for the effectiveness of the intervention and the client's progress.

Outlines

00:00

🚫 Addressing Problem Behaviors

The script discusses the necessity of identifying and addressing behaviors that are problematic or challenging. It emphasizes the importance of using objective criteria to determine what constitutes a problem behavior, ensuring the client's well-being is the focus of intervention plans. Behaviors are targeted for reduction or elimination if they cause harm, damage property, impede development, or interfere with skill performance. Consent from caregivers and the client is crucial before initiating a behavior change program. The script also introduces operational definitions for consistency and reliability in behavior reduction plans.

05:01

📋 Crafting Operational Definitions

This section delves into the creation of operational definitions for target behaviors to ensure clarity, completeness, and objectivity. It explains that operational definitions must be concise, avoid ambiguity, and include all forms of the behavior. The script stresses the importance of measurable and observable criteria, which facilitates the quantification of behaviors and the development of effective intervention strategies. It also provides examples of both inadequate and adequate operational definitions, highlighting the need for specificity in describing the onset and offset of behaviors.

10:02

🔍 Functional Behavior Assessment

The script outlines the process of conducting a functional behavior assessment (FBA) to understand the reasons behind problem behaviors and to develop appropriate interventions. It details the use of both indirect and direct methods to assess environmental factors that maintain the behavior. The FBA aims to identify the function of the behavior, which is crucial for determining effective interventions. The script introduces the concept of functions of behavior, categorized into attention, access, escape/avoidance, and automatic, and explains how understanding these functions can lead to more targeted and successful interventions.

15:02

📘 Developing a Behavior Intervention Plan

The script describes the development of a behavior intervention plan (BIP) following the FBA process. The BIP is a comprehensive plan that includes the definition of the target behavior, goals, objectives, hypothesized functions, and strategies for intervention. It covers the importance of team collaboration, data review, and the inclusion of various components such as precursor behaviors, interventions, replacement behaviors, teaching strategies, and data collection methods. The script also explains the role of behavior technicians in implementing the BIP and the importance of event recording for data collection during assessments and interventions.

20:04

📝 Event Recording and Data Collection

The final paragraph focuses on the method of event recording as a primary data collection technique during assessments and the initial phases of interventions. It explains the importance of documenting antecedents, behaviors, and consequences (ABC data) objectively and professionally. The script provides guidance on how to record each component accurately, emphasizing the need to avoid personal inferences and emotions. It concludes the video series on defining and assessing problem behavior, instructing viewers to exit the video and proceed with the course assignments.

Keywords

💡Problem Behaviors

Problem behaviors in the video script refer to actions that are targeted for reduction or elimination because they are deemed harmful or disruptive to the client's well-being. These behaviors need to meet specific objective criteria to be considered for intervention. The script emphasizes the importance of ethical targeting of behaviors, ensuring that interventions are centered around the client's welfare rather than subjective annoyance.

💡Objective Criteria

Objective criteria are the specific, measurable standards used to determine whether a behavior is problematic. The script explains that behaviors cannot be targeted for reduction simply based on personal annoyance; instead, they must meet one of four criteria: causing harm, damaging property, interfering with learning or development, or impacting the client's quality of life. This concept is central to ensuring that interventions are justifiable and beneficial.

💡Operational Definition

An operational definition is a precise and observable description of a target behavior that is used to ensure consistency in behavior reduction plans. The script details that operational definitions must be clear, complete, observable, measurable, and include a specific onset and offset. This concept is crucial for creating effective intervention strategies and for reliable data collection during assessments.

💡Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

A Functional Behavior Assessment is a process conducted by a behavior specialist to identify the target behaviors, determine their functions, and develop a behavior intervention plan. The script mentions that an FBA involves both indirect and direct methods to assess the behavior and related environmental factors. Understanding the function of a behavior is key to developing effective interventions.

💡Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

A Behavior Intervention Plan outlines the strategies and interventions to reduce a target problem behavior and increase more appropriate or helpful alternatives. The script describes that a BIP is based on data and information gathered during the FBA and includes goals, objectives, hypothesized functions, interventions, and data collection methods. It is a dynamic document that is reviewed and adjusted as needed.

💡Event Recording

Event recording is a method of data collection used during the assessment and initial phases of an intervention. The script explains that it involves documenting antecedents, behaviors, and consequences (ABC data) each time the target behavior occurs. This method is essential for gathering objective data to understand the context and function of the behavior.

💡Antecedents

Antecedents are the events or changes in the environment that occur just before a behavior and may influence its occurrence. The script instructs to document all antecedents objectively, regardless of whether they are believed to be the reason for the behavior, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the behavior's context.

💡Consequences

Consequences in the script refer to the events or changes in the environment that occur just after a behavior and may reinforce or punish it. The script emphasizes the importance of documenting consequences objectively to understand the maintaining factors of the behavior.

💡Function of Behavior

The function of behavior is the underlying reason or purpose that a behavior serves, such as gaining attention, accessing preferred items, escaping aversive situations, or obtaining sensory consequences. The script explains that determining the function is essential for developing function-based interventions tailored to the individual's needs.

💡Replacement Behaviors

Replacement behaviors are the more appropriate or helpful alternatives to the problem behavior that are taught as part of the intervention. The script mentions that a BIP includes a description of these behaviors and how to teach them, which is crucial for promoting positive change and skill development.

💡Consent

Consent is the agreement from caregivers and, when possible, the client to proceed with a behavior intervention plan. The script highlights the importance of obtaining consent to ensure ethical practice and collaboration in the intervention process.

Highlights

Problem behaviors are targeted for reduction or elimination when they present a problem for a client.

Objective criteria are used to determine what constitutes a problem behavior to ensure client well-being.

Behaviors causing harm to the client or others are appropriate targets for reduction.

Behaviors that cause property damage can be considered problem behaviors due to their financial impact.

Behaviors that interfere with a client's learning or progress can diminish their quality of life.

Consent from caregivers and the client is crucial before targeting a behavior for change.

Target behaviors are defined with operational definitions to ensure consistency and reliability.

Operational definitions must be clear, complete, observable, and measurable.

Operational definitions should include a specific onset and offset for the behavior.

A functional behavior assessment (FBA) is conducted to determine why a behavior is happening.

FBA uses both indirect methods like interviews and direct methods like observations to assess behaviors.

The function of behavior is identified to understand why it occurs and to inform interventions.

Four main categories of behavior functions are attention, access, escape avoidance, and automatic.

A behavior intervention plan (BIP) is developed based on the FBA to reduce the problem behavior.

BIP includes goals, objectives, hypothesized functions, interventions, and replacement behaviors.

Event recording is a method of data collection used during assessment and intervention phases.

ABC data (Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence) is collected during event recording for objective analysis.

Behavior technicians implement interventions as outlined in the BIP and record reliable data.

Transcripts

problem behaviors or challenging

behaviors are the types of behaviors

that are typically targeted for

reduction or elimination

that means we've decided that they

present as a problem

for a client and we'd like them to learn

to do less of that behavior or to stop

doing that behavior altogether

in order to do this we must use specific

objective criteria to determine what is

and what isn't a problem behavior we

cannot ethically target a behavior for

reduction

simply because we or someone else in the

client's life

finds it annoying objective criteria

ensures that we are keeping the

well-being of our client at the center

of our intervention plans

in the next few slides we will explore

how to identify

problem behaviors and how we define

these behaviors

to ensure consistency and reliability

with our programs

behaviors must meet one of four criteria

before we can consider them for

reduction or elimination

first any behavior that causes or could

potentially cause harm to the client or

others around the client is an

appropriate target for a reduction

these behaviors include eloping also

known as

wandering or bolting head banging

hitting

biting and more in the case of a loping

the client may be at risk for drowning

being hit by a car

or harm from another unknown person with

head banging the client could cause both

scene and unseen damage to him or

herself

hitting and biting both cause harm to

others

second any behavior that causes damage

to property could be considered a

problem behavior

this includes throwing electronic

devices graffiti

stomping on toys and more the cost of

this type of behavior is typically

financial

and can unduly burden families the third

and fourth

criteria involve the impact of a

behavior

can have on a client's development and

progress

if the behavior interferes with learning

and mastering new skills or performing a

mastered skill

when functionally appropriate these lost

learning opportunities could diminish

the quality of life for the client

and this might need to be addressed

these types of behaviors typically

include

things like body rocking scripting hand

flapping

and more whenever targeting a behavior

for change it's important to get consent

from the caregivers

and when possible the client as well

once a behavior is determined to be a

problem in need of intervention

it is identified as a target for

reduction

we call this a target behavior after

identifying a target behavior we create

a very specific definition for it

this definition is called a operational

definition

this definition ensures consistency and

is the foundation to any effective

behavior reduction plan

in the following slides we will review

operational definitions and criteria

they must meet operational definitions

must meet several criteria

they must be clear complete observable

and measurable

and they all include a specific onset

and offset

we will review each of these criteria

over the next few slides

first operational definitions must be

clear and complete

the language used in the definition

should be unambiguous

and specific enough that anyone reading

it can picture exactly what the behavior

looks like

furthermore words that have double

meanings or that lack specificity

are avoided for example it is ambiguous

to describe

a behavior as hurting others which could

mean a number of different things

including hurting others emotionally an

operational definition

would instead clearly state how the

individual hurts others

for example the definition could include

biting hitting

throwing objects at others or even

calling others names

these examples can all be clearly

pictured by the reader

and identified when observed operational

definitions must

also completely describe all aspects of

the target behavior

this means that they include all

possible forms or topographies of the

behavior

for example if the target behavior is a

tantrum

and during tantrums the client engages

in hitting

kicking and biting then all three of

these topographies

are included in the definition this

definition

must also describe each form of the

behavior and detail

that means it not only defines the

behavior as hitting

but describes what forms of hooding are

observed

perhaps the client hits the arms of

others or their own head

maybe they hit with an open hand or a

closed fist

although operational definitions must be

clear and complete

they also must be concise that means

they do not include

unnecessary or irrelevant information

the operational definition must be

complete enough that all intended

episodes of the behavior are counted

but not so complete that it becomes

cumbersome

to read difficult to remember and

subjective

in nature for example an operational

definition would likely not include

information

about how others feel about the behavior

how others react to the behavior or a

list of names of all people affected by

the behavior

next operational definitions are

objective

meaning they include only things that we

can sense

typically you will observe behaviors

through sight

you will sometimes see dimensions of

behavior that can be heard included

in a definition especially when tracking

the intensity of a behavior you will

rarely see behaviors defined by feel

smell or taste for example crying is

something that you can both see

and hear operational definitions will

not include states of being

or interpretations for example

feeling angry cannot be included in an

operational definition

the feeling itself cannot be observed by

others

we can instead if needed identify a

public indicator such as stomping feet

to include an

operational definition operational

definitions describe behaviors

such that they can be measured that

means we can use this definition to

quantify the behavior

in some way count duration and

intensity are the most common ways to

measure problem behavior

ensuring that the definition is clear

complete concise

and observable all helps to make sure

that the behavior

is measurable objective descriptions are

easier to measure than

subjective descriptions for example

we can count how many times a client

grabs toys from others

but we cannot measure playing nicely

without further defining what that means

here is a non-example of an operational

definition

the definition of aggression in this

example

is any instance of hitting or punching

this definition does not meet

all criteria for an operational

definition

this definition is not clear someone may

read it and record

any instance of hitting including those

where the client is just tapping the

shoulder of a peer to gain

their attention it is also incomplete

which contributes to the lack of clarity

it does not describe what or who the

client hits or punches

and it does not describe how the client

displays these behaviors

the definition is concise but it is too

concise

the point of lacking details necessary

for completeness

this description is observable i can see

both hitting and punching

you might also say that this definition

is miserable

but due to the lack of clarity and the

completeness it cannot be measured

consistently here's an example of an

operational definition

in this example we define aggression as

any instance

of attempting to or successfully

punching another person with a closed

fist or slapping any body part of

another person with an open palm

the behavior may or may not include

threats

such as i'm going to hurt you or

you're going to get it this definition

clearly describes the behavior as

hitting or punching

others and by giving details about what

the client's hand looks like

when he hits or punches it meets the

criteria

of completeness the definition is also

concise

in that it does not include any

unnecessary details

and it is both observable and measurable

we can see the behavior as described and

most likely measure it consistently

across

occurrences finally all operational

definitions must include a specific

description of when the behavior starts

and when it ends this description much

like the operational definition itself

must be clear complete concise

observable and measurable

this helps everyone taking data on the

behavior know what to count as a single

event

this also helps us when we are tracking

the duration of a behavior from the

start to finish

it ensures that we always start counting

the behavior at the same time

and we always finish counting the

behavior at the same time

the onset of an operationally defined

behavior clearly describes when the

behavior begins

for example on onset may read tantrum

begins when the client fist

drops to the floor another may read

hitting begins when there is contact

between the client's open hand and any

body part of another person

the onset should follow all rules for an

operational definition

such that anyone observing the behavior

would start to count the behavior from

the same point

the offset of an operationally defined

behavior clearly

describes the end of a behavior for

example

an offset might read tantrum ends when

the client

is engaged in any other behavior in the

absence of tantrum for a duration of 30

seconds

or hitting ends when the client's hands

are engaged

and any other behavior in the absence of

hitting for a duration of 5 seconds

offset should be clearly described such

that anyone observing the behavior would

stop measuring

at the same time

once we have identified and

operationally defined a target problem

behavior

qualified professionals in the field

must then conduct

a functional behavior assessment or fba

to determine why the behavior is

happening and how to simultaneously

reduce the behavior

and replace it with more appropriate or

helpful alternatives

a functional behavior assessment or fba

is the process by which a behavior

specialist

determines target behaviors identifies

functions

of those behaviors and develops a

behavior intervention plan

or bip the purpose of an fba is to

identify what environmental factors are

maintaining a problem behavior

and to then develop a plan to address

those factors

the specialist will use both indirect

and direct methods to assess the target

behavior and the related

environmental factors indirect methods

involve

interviewing the family teachers and

other individuals familiar with the

client to find out more about the

behavior

and when it happens having those same

individuals complete questionnaires or

checklists

reviewing records regarding the client's

history and behavior

some standardized assessments such as

the abas

vineland and abls

include questionnaires or checklists and

are a part of the indirect

assessment direct methods involve

observing the behavior first

hand and recording data on what is

observed

as well as conducting a functional

analysis during which the environment

is systematically changed in order to

observe the effect

on the behavior and determine the

function of the behavior

functions of behavior help us to

determine why behavior is happening

these are the consequences that we come

to expect and work towards

in other words these are the events that

either positively or negatively

reinforce behavior

while operational definitions are

important for describing the forms of

behavior

and ensuring that we as behavior

interventionists are consistent and

reliable when

intervening and monitoring behaviors

functions help us to determine the best

interventions for a given behavior

two clients may engage in the exact same

behavior in the exact same way

but for different reasons for example

one client may hit a pier with an open

hand to gain

access to a preferred toy but another

may hit a peer with an open hand to get

the peer to walk away or leave them

alone

if we taught both of these clients how

to take turns and ask

peers for toys in order to replace the

behavior of hitting peers with an open

hand

then we would ultimately only help the

first client and not the second

by determining the function of the

behavior we can recommend

function-based interventions and help

each of our clients

and their individual needs

the four main categories of functions

determined by our research on functional

analyses

these categories are attention access

escape avoidance and automatic

a function of attention refers to any

behavior that serves to gain

some sort of interaction from another

individual

these interactions can be some sort of

verbal interaction

physical interaction gestures or

reaction a function of access refers to

any behavior that serves to gain access

to

edibles tangibles or activities this

includes access to foods

and drinks as well as toys and games a

function of escape avoidance refers to

any behavior that serves to remove an

aversive stimulus from an individual's

environment

this includes behaviors that result in

the removal of homework

chores specific individuals and more

this may also include behaviors that

result in an individual

getting to leave a specific activity or

area

an automatic function refers to any

behavior that results in a desired

sensory consequence

that means that the sensory product

resulting from the behavior

is reinforcing in and of itself

for example you might wrap yourself in a

blanket because the resulting warmth is

reinforcing or shake your foot

because the movement feels good

after a specialist identifies a target

problem behavior

conducts a functional behavior

assessment and determines the function

of a behavior

they will develop a behavior

intervention plan or

vip to outline the recommended

changes and interventions to reduce the

problem behavior

a behavior intervention plan or baip

is a detailed plan specifying how the

team plans to both decrease a target

problem behavior

and increase replacement behaviors

this plan is developed based on

observations

data and other information gathered

during the fba

or functional behavior assessment the

behavior plan is accessible

either digitally or on paper and all

team members must read and agree to the

plan

the behavior specialist will

periodically review data to ensure that

the plan is effective

and make changes to the plan as needed

the bip is made up of many parts

and can vary from organization to

organization

in general it should include a

definition of the target behavior as

well as goals

and objectives for the reduction of that

behavior

a hypothesized function of the problem

behavior

a description of precursor behaviors and

interventions

a description of replacement behaviors

and how to teach them

teaching strategies for other

alternative behavior

a detailed outline of both proactive and

reactive techniques

and instructions on what data to collect

and how to collect it

behavior technicians as a part of the

intervention team

need to read and understand operational

definitions for all target behaviors

and intervene on the target behaviors as

outlined in the behavior intervention

plan

they also are responsible for recording

reliable data during

intervention and sometimes they will

assist in collecting data during the

assessment as well

the main method of data collection

required during the assessment and

initial

phases of an intervention is known as

event recording we will discuss other

forms of data collection

and measurement in a later video but for

now let's review

event recording

event recording involves taking data on

the target behavior every time that it

happens

each time the target behavior occurs you

record

information on the antecedents behaviors

and consequences for that event

we call this abc data when recording abc

data it is important to remain objective

you do not want to include just the

changes that you find to be relevant

especially during the assessment when

little is known about the behavior

and its function you will need to

include all observed

environmental factors and forms of

behavior in your notes to ensure

objectivity your specialists will use

this data to help determine why the

behavior is happening

and to monitor any changes during

intervention

the first step in event recording

involves documenting the antecedent for

behavior recall that antecedents are

things that happen or change

in the environment just before behavior

occurs

this includes a change of location

person

activity demand and more when recording

antecedents during

event recording be sure to list all

changes in the environment that happen

just prior to the behavior whether you

believe them to be the reason for the

behavior happening

or not make sure that you also use

objective and professional language

do not include states of being emotions

or

inferences about what the client did or

did not want

the next step of event recording

involves documenting the behavior itself

remember that behaviors are interactions

between an individual

and their environment and they do not

include states of being or emotions

when recording behaviors for event

reporting document a complete

description of

all forms of the target behavior

observed during that

event remember to be objective and

record only what you

can see and hear do not include your

thoughts or feelings about the behavior

the last step of event recording

involves documenting the consequences

for the behavior

remember that consequences are things

that happen or change

in the environment just after behavior

occurs

much like with antecedents this includes

a change of location

person activity demand and more

when recording consequences for event

recording

be sure to list all changes in the

environment that occur immediately after

the behavior

whether you believe them to be the

reason why the client engaged in that

behavior or not

remember to remain professional and

objective

do not include how the behavior made

other people feel unless you are

specifically writing what someone said

in response to the behavior

that concludes our final video on

defining and assessing problem behavior

please exit this video and return to

your course to complete the next

assignments