Screening and assessment

As you have learned in Unit 1, identifying the function a target behavior serves for the individual is very
important to designing an effective, function-based behavior intervention plan (BIP). We identify the function
through the collection of data on the antecedents and consequences of the target behavior, typically using the
antecedent-behavior-consequence (A-B-C) data form. After at least three observation sessions, patterns
emerge in the data that allow the behavior analyst to hypothesize the probable function of the behavior. With
that information, he/she can design an effective BIP.
For this discussion, create a scenario in which you have a new client who is exhibiting a target behavior.
Describe the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) approaches, i.e., Indirect Assessment and Direct
Descriptive Assessment, you will use and identify the probable function of the target behavior.
How will the identification of the function of the target behavior help you to design a function-based behavior
intervention plan (BIP)?