1. Formal Behavioral Assessment
Chapter 8
Formal Behavioral Assessment

2. Developmental Systems Approach
(DSA) attempts to understand both disturbed and nondisturbed children and their social systems
primary purpose is to obtain information that will assist in developing effective intervention strategies

3. Multimodal Approach
Assessment data should aid in identifying and defining target behaviors
ideas for intervention, and
conducting ongoing evaluation of the intervention effects and the achievement of treatment goals.

4. Assessment for Intervention Planning: A Five-Step Model
Decide whether a problem exists
Step 2
Determine whether intervention is warranted
Step 3
Perform a functional assessment
Step 4
Develop behavior management intervention
Step 5
Conduct ongoing evaluation

5. Step 1: Does a Problem Exist?
data collection should be efficient
Types of data collection methods:
Rating scales and teacher rankings
Sociometric techniques
Peer nomination and ratings
Interviews with parent, target students, and others who know the student

6. Step 1: Does a Problem Exist?
Commonly used screening measures:
Systematic screening for behavioral disorders (SSBD)
Child behavior checklist system (CBCL)
Behavioral and emotional rating scale, (BERS-2)

7. Advantages & Drawbacks
What are some advantages and drawbacks associated with using these measures?

8. Step 2: Is an Intervention Needed?
objective is to pinpoint behavior problems
Data collection methods (informal):
Observation data
Norm-referenced rating scales and checklists
Ranking target behaviors
Review of Medical data

9. Step 2: Is an Intervention Needed?
Commonly used formal measures:
Social skills rating system (SSRS)
Walker-McConnell scale of social competence and school adjustment (WMS)
Conners comprehensive behavior rating scales
Behavior assessment for children, second addition (BASC-2)
Psychometric assessment

10. Advantages & Drawbacks
What are some advantages and drawbacks associated with using these measures?

11. Final Steps Step 3 Perform a functional assessment
Step 4 Develop behavior management intervention
Step 5 Conduct ongoing evaluation

12. Summary
Teachers & educational professionals will find opportunities to maximize teaching and learning when they develop effective behavior support plans based on assessment data.
A variety of informal and formal assessment measures can be utilized for this purpose.