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1. Functional Behavioral Assessment for Students with Autism Mediasite Presentation
September 19, 2008
Marge Resan, Education Consultant
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
2. September 19, 2008
3. September 19, 2008 Autism in Wisconsin Schools What are the reasons for this increase?
Better medical identification?
Better educational identification?
Corresponding decline in other disability areas?
A true increase in incidence?
4. September 19, 2008 Autism in Wisconsin Schools We dont know
2008 - California Department of Public Health study seems to point to a true increase in incidence.
Numbers increased January 1995-March 2007.
Increases continued after mercury removed from vaccines in 1999.
5. September 19, 2008 Autism in Wisconsin Schools Autism spectrum disorders are:
Developmental disabilities.
Usually evident before age three.
Neurological disorders.
6. September 19, 2008 Autism in Wisconsin Schools Autism is considered a spectrum disorder, meaning physical differences in the brains of individuals with autism create
Vastly differing neurological experiences;
A wide continuum of symptoms;
A range in severity;
Wide variability among students.
7. September 19, 2008 Autism in Wisconsin Schools Autism spectrum disorders occur across all socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural and geographic groups.
The incidence of autism spectrum disorders is higher among males than females.
8. September 19, 2008 Autism in Wisconsin Schools When students with autism present behavior challenges,
Schools are at often a loss as to how to manage those behaviors.
Each student has a different sensory, communication and learning profile.
Behaviors can be very different and difficult to understand.
All behavior is communication!
9. September 19, 2008 Why do behavior challenges occur so commonly among individuals with autism spectrum disorders? Difficulties with Communication Skills
From Wisconsin Administrative Code, PI 11
The child displays problems which extend beyond speech and language to other aspects of social communication, both receptively and expressively.
Understanding meaning of others language is difficult. Sharing thoughts and feelings, making requests or making needs known is difficult.
Not that the child does not want to communicate
10. September 19, 2008 Why do behavior challenges occur so commonly among individuals with autism spectrum disorders? Difficulties with Social Skills
The child displays difficulties or differences or both in interacting with people and events. The child may be unable to establish and maintain reciprocal relationships with people.
Understanding and relating to others, including peers, is difficult.
Not that the child does not want to establish and maintain social relationships
11. September 19, 2008 Why do behavior challenges occur so commonly among individuals with autism spectrum disorders? Restricted Interests / Movement Differences
The child displays marked distress over changes, insistence on following routines, and a persistent preoccupation with or attachment to objects.
Perseverant thinking and impaired ability to process symbolic information may be present.
Familiar areas of special interest or expertise become focus.
Sometimes child become stuck.
Not that the child wants to be stubborn or inflexible
12. September 19, 2008 Why do behavior challenges occur so commonly among individuals with autism spectrum disorders? Sensory Processing Differences
The child exhibits unusual, inconsistent, repetitive or unconventional responses to sounds, sights, smells, tastes, touch or movement.
Childs neurology makes sensory system hypo or hyper sensitive.
Not that the child chooses to react negatively or to be compelled to seek out certain sensory experiences
13. September 19, 2008 Neurology of Autism We know that autism is a neurological issue. Its basis is within the brain. Individuals with autism have a different sort of neurology that creates a very different experience.
Different as compared to individuals with more typical neurology
And different as compared to other individuals with autism.
14. September 19, 2008 Neurology of Autism Like being a Mac in a PC World (Notbohm)
Important to keep in mind: This differently structured neurology is not indicative of the students ability.
15. September 19, 2008 Neurology of Autism Multiple studies have found children with autism have increased white matter in their brains. (Dr. Martha Herbert, Harvard Medical School, Dr. Eric Courchesne University of California-San Diego)
Studies have used Magnetic Resonance Imagery (MRI) to study brains of children with autism.
White matter is the part of the brain that carries information from one section of the brain to another.
16. September 19, 2008 Neurology of Autism This increase is located in areas of the brain that are close to each other and on the same side of the brain.
Since there is an increase in connections running within each brain half as compared to between brain halves, it may be harder for information on one side of the brain to be shared with the other.
17. September 19, 2008 Neurology of Autism Brain areas are often bigger on the side to which they are lateralized (perhaps to handle their increased work load).
For example, language function is lateralized to the left brain, and the areas of the brain which handle language processing are correspondingly bigger on the left than the right side.
Studies have shown that children with autism have a reversal of the brain asymmetry - there are more areas that are bigger on the right than the left side of the brain, making the brain size biased overall to the right half.
18. September 19, 2008 Neurology of Autism This is opposite of what is found in the brains of typically developing children.
Very similar changes are seen in the brains of children with language impairment disorders.
The similarity between the disorders highlights the fact that the anatomical problems may underlie the inability to process complex information such as language.
19. September 19, 2008 Neurology of Autism Another set of findings:
Dr. Margaret Bauman, a pediatric neurologist at Harvard Medical School, has examined postmortem tissue from the brains of nearly 30 autistic individuals who died between the ages of 5 and 74.
Found striking abnormalities in the limbic system, an area that includes the amygdala (the brain's primitive emotional center) and the hippocampus (a seahorse-shaped structure critical to memory).
20. September 19, 2008 Neurology of Autism Baumans work shows the cells in the limbic system of individuals with autism are atypically small and tightly packed together, compared with the cells in the limbic system of their more neurologically typical counterparts.
University of Chicago psychiatrist Dr. Edwin Hook comments that these cells look unusually immature "as if waiting for a signal to grow up."
21. September 19, 2008 So what does this mean to our work as educators? We know that there are physical,
neurological bases for the differences
in children with ASDs.
If this is a physical, neurological
difference, then it is reasonable to
believe that behaviors are usually
not indicative of the childs intent to misbehave.
The child is unable to process the relevant information in the expected manner this is why we see behaviors.
The childs neurology does not support the expectations.
22. September 19, 2008 So what does this mean to our work as educators? Is this to say children with autism never have behaviors on purpose?
No but it is far less damaging to educator/child relationship to presume that behavior is related to neurology and not intentional.
23. September 19, 2008 Looking at Functional Behavioral Assessment through the Autism Lens DPI Information Update Bulletin No. 07.01 Addressing the Behavioral Needs of Students with Disabilities
Available at http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/bul07-01.html
24. September 19, 2008 What does the law require when a childs behavior impedes his or her learning or that of others? Individualized Education Program (IEP) team is to consider the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports and other strategies to address that behavior.
IEP team must think about supports and interventions that will facilitate appropriate behavior.
IEP team must include a plan to teach the child strategies to manage his or her behavior positively.
25. September 19, 2008 What is functional behavioral assessment? A continuous, systematic process for identifying:
The purpose or function of the behavior, and
The variables that influence the behavior.
Leads to components of an effective behavioral intervention plan.
Based on paradigm of Antecedent > Behavior > Response or Consequence
26. September 19, 2008 Paradigm of Antecedent > Behavior > Response or Consequence Antecedent that which precedes behavior of concern.
External factors such as settings, tasks, people, activities, and events.
In regular education history class on days with are cooperative group activities.
During journal time when paraeducator is prompting student to free write.
On rainy days in the lunch room when the noise level is high.
27. September 19, 2008 Paradigm of Antecedent > Behavior > Response or Consequence Antecedents may also include internal factors such as the childs neurology, mood, medical condition.
Dont overlook possible medical conditions!
28. September 19, 2008 Paradigm of Antecedent > Behavior > Response or Consequence Behavior
Important to define the behavior in OBSERVABLE, FACTUAL terms.
Everyone supporting the student must understand the definition of the behavior.
29. September 19, 2008 Paradigm of Antecedent > Behavior > Response or Consequence Compare terms:
Disruptive classroom behavior to rises from seat and paces quickly around perimeter of room.
Verbal outburst to to face reddens, hands begin to shake, student shouts phrases such as Im going to throw this chair.
Self-injury to Repeatedly strikes forehead with ball of right hand with enough force to leave red marks.
30. September 19, 2008 Paradigm of Antecedent > Behavior > Response or Consequence Response or Consequence that which follows the behavior of concern
What does the student do? What do others do? What else happens?
Other students in cooperative group move away from and ignore student.
Para removes student from room and activity ends.
Student appears sleepy (eyes close, slumps in chair) and begins to cry.
31. September 19, 2008 What are some of the common functions of behavior? We must keep in mind the unique characteristics of students with autism when we consider functions of behavior.
Refocus your camera:
Crucial to address this question by viewing behavior through our lens of autism.
32. September 19, 2008 What are some of the common functions of behavior? Some common functions of behavior:
Seeking attention: common, but often inaccurate if its the only function considered.
Escape or avoidance: avoiding a particular activity, person, group, unpleasant situation, uncomfortable, overwhelming or painful sensory stimuli, etc.
33. September 19, 2008 What are some of the common functions of behavior? Common functions of behavior (cont.)
Justice or revenge: Not common among students with autism!
Acceptance and affiliation: belonging or gaining acceptance to a group, desire to belong when rules of hidden curriculum are not understood.
34. September 19, 2008 What are some of the common functions of behavior? Common functions of behavior (cont.)
Power or control: Control environments, control overwhelming sensory situations, gain control over highly stressful situations.
Expression of self: seeking to announce independence and/or individuality, attempt to communicate.
35. September 19, 2008 What are some of the common functions of behavior? Common functions of behavior (cont.)
Access to tangible rewards or personal gratification: Tangible reinforcement (food, money, etc.), sensory input, approval from peers, etc.
Others we need to be observant, thorough and open-minded.
Remember that behavior is communication!
Behaviors often serve more multiple functions.
36. September 19, 2008 When must schools conduct FBAs? Per IDEA:
Legally required when a disciplinary change of placement occurs and the behavior is determined to be a manifestation of the disability.
If there is a change of placement and the behavior is not a manifestation of the disability, an FBA should be conducted as appropriate.
37. September 19, 2008 When must schools conduct FBAs? Per DPI Directives:
As part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting required after the first unanticipated instance of the use of physical restraint or seclusion/time out.
WDPI Directives for the Appropriate Use of Seclusion and Physical Restraint in Special Education Programs available at:
http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/doc/secrestrgd.doc
38. September 19, 2008 When must schools conduct FBAs? It is good practice to conduct FBA:
Whenever behaviors are a concern.
When current programming is not effective.
When student or others are at risk of harm or exclusion.
When a more restrictive placement or a more intrusive intervention is contemplated.
Whenever there are repeated and serious behavior problems.
Can and should be used any time we seek to better understand what a child is doing!
39. September 19, 2008 Is the FBA process the same in every situation? Short answer No!
No specific format is required.
You will choose the format on a case-by-case basis.
Tools available to help you get started available at: http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/sbfba.html
40. September 19, 2008 How do we begin to collect data about the behavior? Use both direct and indirect methods of data collection.
Indirect methods: Talking to the individuals who know the student best. Understand that this information is filtered through the interviewees (their experience, emotion, relationship to the student).
Also includes review of records and work samples.
41. September 19, 2008 Data Collection: Direct methods: Observe the student in typical activities and routines. Know that these are only snapshots and might not be authentic.
Both types of data are necessary to verify each other! No one source of information can stand alone.
42. September 19, 2008 Some tips for Observations: Observe student across settings and at a variety of different times.
Keep the recording system as simple as possible.
Accurately define behavior you must know what you are looking for!
Get appropriate background info.
43. September 19, 2008 Skill Deficits v. Performance Deficits Is the behavior a skill deficit or a performance deficit?
Skill deficit: Student cannot do this. Lacks necessary information or component skill.
Performance deficit: Motivation, might perform skill on one setting but has not generalized to another, etc.
Caution You often cannot tell! Which assumption provides the least potential damage to the relationship?
44. September 19, 2008 What are the crucial dimensions of behavior? Frequency how often the behavior occurs;
Topography the description of the behavior; what it looks like (in seat, on task);
Duration how long the behavior lasts;
Latency the amount of time that elapses between A and B; for example, the amount of time between a teacher giving a direction and the student complying with that direction;
45. September 19, 2008 What are the crucial dimensions of behavior? Magnitude force or power of the behavior (5 minute tantrum vs. a 30 minute tantrum; mumbling vs. talking loudly);
Locus where the behavior occurs (gym class vs. English class; structured time vs. unstructured time).
46. September 19, 2008 How do we incorporate FBA results into the IEP? Per IDEA, if the students behavior is interfering with his/her learning or that of others, the IEP must address the behavior.
FBA provides baseline data for appropriately addressing the students behavioral needs.
47. September 19, 2008 How do we incorporate FBA results into the IEP? Can include FBA results in Present Level of Performance
FBA results can provide basis for annual goals
Be mindful of IDEAs emphasis on positive interventions, strategies and supports.
48. September 19, 2008 What are positive behavioral interventions and supports? IEP team cannot develop appropriate strategies, supports and interventions unless the meaning behind the behavior is understood.
Strategies and supports based on functional behavioral assessment.
Attempt to understand the purpose of a problem behavior so it can be replaced with new appropriate behaviors.
49. September 19, 2008 What are positive behavioral interventions and supports? Developmentally, chronologically, cognitively and functionally appropriate for the student.
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports focus on :
Modifying environmental factors to try to prevent challenging behaviors
Addressing behavior programmatically by teaching replacement behaviors and skills.
Promote long-term, lasting behavior change.
50. September 19, 2008 What are positive behavioral interventions and supports? Not about fixing the student. Its fixing student skill deficiencies, classroom settings, instructional delivery and/or curricular adaptations to support the students success.
Not crisis management!
51. September 19, 2008 A few words on the importance of relationships: We cannot underestimate the importance of relationships!
All students need to feel trust in their relationships with school staff.
Students can best show their true ability in the context of a strong, supportive relationship.
We need to be mindful of this. Take care of your relationships with all students.
We make mistakes. We can also make amends!
52. September 19, 2008 Resources: Donnellan, Anne, et. al. (1988) Progress Without Punishment. Teachers College Press
Fein, Deborah, et. al. (2007) Autism in Your Classroom: A General Educators Guide to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Woodbine House.
Glasberg, Beth A. (2006) Functional Behavior Assessment for People with Autism: Making Sense of Seemingly Senseless Behavior. Woodbine House
Nothbom, Ellen (2006) Ten Things Your Student with Autism Wishes You Knew. Future Horizons, Inc.
53. September 19, 2008 Resources, cont. Myles, Brenda Smith, et. al. (1999) Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage, and meltdowns. Autism Asperger Publishing Co.
Myles, Brenda Smith, et. al. (2000) Asperger Syndrome and Sensory Issues: Practical Solutions for Making Sense of the World.
Kranowitz, Carol Stock. (2005) The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder. Berkeley Publishing Group
54. September 19, 2008 Questions?
Marge Resan
Education Consultant Autism
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Phone: (608) 267-9158
Email: margaret.resan@dpi.wi.gov
