1. Conducting a Functional Analysis
By Cherie Ba and Moses Olagunju

2. Objectives: To understand and define what functional analysis is.
To create positive non aversive methods in the approach to severe and challenging behaviour.
To have an understanding of the teaching methods used in positive programming and developing support plans .
To look at ways of monitoring and recording behaviours of concern.

3. What is Functional Analysis?
The purpose of Functional Analysis is to identify events that control behaviour; These events may occur before the behaviour (i.e. Antecedents) or after the behaviour (i.e. Consequences)
Functional Analysis specifically includes a description of the problem, a history of the problem, an antecedent analysis, consequence analysis, and an analysis of the meaning of the behaviour.
(Lavigna and Willis 1996)

4. Behavioural assessment reports need to fulfil five main objectives of functional analysis.
They need to:
Describe the person behaviour clearly
Identify slow and fast triggers for the behaviour
List the rein forcers that are maintaining the behaviour
Produce summary statement describing these relationships
Show that these relationships have been verified by direct observation.

5. Comprehensive assessment reports of Functional Analysis and the Components.
Identifying Information
Reason for referral
Data Source
Description of the service
Background information
Description of the problem
History of the problem
Ecological Analysis
Antecedent Analysis
Consequence Analysis
Motivational Analysis
Mediator Analysis
Recommended Support plan
Support procedures
Recommendations

6. Teaching Plans: General Skills Functionally Equivalent
Functionally Related
Coping and Tolerance Skills

7. Methods of recording challenging behaviour:
ABC Charts
Time Sampling
Scatterplots

9. Monitoring Chart for recording inappropriate nudity.

10. Case Study of Dominic Behaviour Of Concern
Functional Analysis of Behaviour
Support Plan and measuring behaviour
Outcome and Results
Graphs

11. Average duration in minutes of inappropriate nudity.

12. Average level of severity

13. Number of events each week