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Functional assessment of challenging behavior: toward a strategy for applied settings
Johnny L Matson1, Noha F Minshawi
1Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 236 Audubon Hall Baton Rouge, LA 70803-5501, USA. johnmatson@aol.com
Research in Developmental Disabilities
|June 13, 2006
Summary
Functional analysis and checklists are key technologies for understanding challenging behaviors in children and those with developmental disabilities. This paper reviews their application in resource-limited settings.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Applied Behavior Analysis
Background:
- Functional analysis and checklists are established methods for evaluating behavior.
- Research has primarily focused on children and individuals with developmental disabilities exhibiting challenging behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the advancements in functional assessment research.
- To examine the application of functional assessment in resource-scarce applied settings.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental functional analysis.
- Analysis of functional assessment checklists.
Main Results:
- Functional assessment technologies are increasingly common for evaluating behavior.
- The application of functional assessment in applied settings with limited resources is a growing area.
Conclusions:
- Functional assessment research has significant implications for clinical practice.
- Current functional assessment technologies have both strengths and weaknesses that require consideration.
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