Multiple functions of problem behaviors: assessment and intervention

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Developmental Disabilities
• Applied Behavior Analysis

Background:

• Problem behaviors, such as self-injury and aggression, are significant challenges for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities.
• Understanding the maintaining variables of problem behavior is crucial for effective intervention.
• Functional analysis is a key methodology for identifying the environmental contingencies that reinforce problem behaviors.

Observation:

• This study examined three individuals with severe intellectual disabilities exhibiting problem behaviors.
• A functional analysis identified that problem behaviors were maintained by both escape from difficult tasks and access to preferred items (multiple control).
• Problem behaviors were targeted using functional communication training (FCT), a method to teach alternative, appropriate communication skills.

Findings:

• Problem behaviors decreased in the specific condition where functional communication training was implemented.
• Problem behaviors persisted in the condition without targeted communication training, indicating the need for multi-component interventions.
• Clinically acceptable levels of problem behavior were achieved only after communication training addressed both identified reinforcement contingencies.

Implications:

• Interventions for problem behaviors in individuals with intellectual disabilities must consider and address multiple maintaining contingencies.
• Functional communication training is effective, but requires tailoring to the specific environmental factors reinforcing the behavior.
• These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment plans in applied behavior analysis.