Applying ABA and Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) to Decode Behavior
ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis, a scientific approach to understanding and improving behaviors. It is often used to support autistic individuals and people with developmental differences, but the principles of ABA are all around us and used in everyone’s daily lives. Think of ABA as a toolkit for fostering positive change through motivation.
Now that we know what ABA is, let’s dive into one of its most powerful tools: the FBA. An FBA is like playing detective, but instead of solving crimes, you’re solving the mystery of why someone behaves in a specific way. The goal is to identify the “function” of a behavior—that is, what purpose it serves for the person doing it.
How FBAs Identify the Function of Behavior
A “behavior” is neither good nor bad, it is anything that an organism does- it is active, observable, and measurable. For example, a person texting on their phone, a cat licking its paw, a plant growing towards the sun. We see behaviors that we wish would occur more frequently, such as returning a shopping cart to the designated area, or someone giving a compliment to another person.
Many times, we see behaviors we wish we could reduce, whether it’s a toddler throwing a tantrum in the cereal aisle or a coworker always interrupting meetings. These behaviors do not happen “out of nowhere.” There is a learning history or context behind why we do what we do. Behaviors serve a purpose, such as to:
- Get something they want (attention, a toy, food, etc.).
- Avoid something they dislike (a chore, a sensory overload, tasks).
- Gain sensory satisfaction (spinning, rocking, twirling our hair, twiddling thumbs, etc.).
- Communicate a need (verbally or nonverbally).
How FBA works: An Example in Action
An FBA involves observing and collecting data to figure out the specific reasons behind a behavior so that we can then figure how we can best address them.
Imagine this scenario:
You’re working with a 2-year-old named Maya, who starts yelling every time someone brings out a book. You ask yourself: Does Maya yell because she wants to see mommy? Is sitting down for the ten minutes while you read too hard for her? Is she bored? Does she need her diaper changed? To help Maya, you would first conduct an FBA to figure out what’s going on.
Any time a behavior is persistent, disruptive, or causing harm to the person or others, an FBA can help identify ways to support positive change.
Steps to Conduct an Effective FB
A behavior analyst, or BCBA, should be consulted when an FBA is warranted, however we can explain the steps that usually occur:
1. Define the Behavior
Be specific, observable, and measurable so that anyone can read your definition and know exactly what to look for, and what is not included. Instead of saying, “Maya is aggressive,” “Maya tantrums,” or “Maya is non-compliant,” write: “When Maya is presented with various picture books, she yells and cries and covers her eyes.”
2. Gather Data
Collect information through observation, interviews with caregivers. You are looking for clues like time of day, environment, and what happens before and after the behavior. An ABC data sheet (you can find a great one on our resource page: https://www.achievebeyondusa.com/provider-resources/aba-provider-resource-page/) will help you to track the antecedents (what happened right before the behavior), the behavior (write the description of what it looked like), and the consequences (what happened right after the behavior). Write down objectively what was observed.
3. Identify the Function
Analyze the data to figure out why the behavior happens- look for patterns in the antecedents and consequences. For Maya, you might realize the yelling happens because she does not like to sit down for books at the table, but she is fine when mommy reads them to her on the couch. This could mean that her behavior could be for attention, sensory (she feels comfortable on the couch, not in the kid’s chair), and maybe even that she is avoiding the provider reading too fast or not letting Maya see the pictures.
4. Develop a Plan
Once we know the why, we can then create strategies to address the behavior by meeting the person’s needs in more functional or appropriate ways. Once you understand the function of a behavior, you can tailor your approach.
Tailoring Intervention Strategies from FBA Findings
Here are some examples of strategies, using our friend Maya as inspiration:
Replacement Behaviors
Teach an alternative way to meet the same need. If Maya yells to escape having the provider hold the book and reading quickly without stopping on the pages, we can teach Maya instead to say “my turn please” to hold the book or point to a picture on the page that she would like to look at.
Modify the Environment
Adjusting the environment can prevent the behavior. If Maya struggles with sitting in the kid’s chair, we can offer her choices of the couch, a kitchen chair, or the kids chair.
Reinforce Behaviors
Reward the behaviors you want to see more of. If Maya asks for books, asks to hold the book, or sits in the kid’s chair, praise her and get excited so that she will be more likely to continue this behavior in the future.
Start Small and Build
If sitting in a chair for ten minutes is difficult, start by sitting on the kids chair only for her preferred activities, then building up longer and longer. (Of course, she is only two so we should always incorporate movement activities every ten minutes anyway).
FBA Approach: Empowering and Respectful
It is important to note that FBAs should be empowering, not controlling. It is all about understanding the person’s perspective and creating supports that respect their autonomy. Here are a few tips to keep it respectful:
- Avoid labeling behaviors as “bad.” Behaviors are just forms of communication.
- Focus on strengths. While addressing challenges, highlight what the person does well.
- Collaborate. Involve the individual in the process as much as possible- whether they can vocally express themselves or not.
Applying FBA Principles: A Fun Example
Just for fun, let’s also apply an FBA to a non-clinical situation:
Behavior: Your cat, Whiskers, knocks over your coffee cup every morning.
Antecedent (what happens before): You’re scrolling on your phone, ignoring Whiskers.
Consequence (what happens after): You jump up, clean the mess, and give Whiskers attention by yelling at him. While you are cleaning and cursing him out a little, he is rubbing up on your leg and purring.
Function: Whiskers wants your attention!
Intervention: Give Whiskers some pets and playtime before you sit down with your coffee. Problem solved (hopefully, we do know cats really enjoy knocking things off the table).
FBAs are a powerful way to decode behavior and create meaningful, positive change. They help us move from “Why won’t they stop doing that?!” to “Oh, I get it! How can I help?” And isn’t that what we all want? To understand and support each other better?
The Big Picture: FBAs for Better Understanding and Support
So, the next time you encounter a puzzling behavior, think of yourself as a detective on a mission to understand, not judge. You might just find that solving these mysteries and helping someone be understood is even more rewarding than solving a good mystery!
