Functional Assessment for Challenging Behaviors (Autism and Child Psychopathology Series Book 0)

As the cornerstone of applied behavior analysis, functional assessment is supported by a burgeoning literature that focuses on identification of and interventions for aggressive, self-injurious, and other challenging behaviors. Although the number of research studies continues to grow, full-length volumes on using functional assessment to address these behaviors remain few and far between. Comprehensive in coverage, __Functional Assessment for Challenging Behaviors__ expands the knowledge base by providing information on all aspects of its topic. This unique volume addresses basic questions in salient detail, from types and rates of challenging behaviors to populations that warrant functional assessment. In addition, it examines typical assessment techniques, including interview, scaling, experimental, and __in____vivo__ methods. The use of functional assessment in treatment planning – and in combination with other interventions – is covered in depth. An especially timely chapter identifies key ethical and legal concerns in working with challenging behavior populations. Coverage includes: * The history of behavior analysis and functional assessment. * The nature, prevalence, and characteristics of challenging behaviors. * Interview and observation methods in functional assessment and analysis. * Experimental functional analysis for challenging behaviors. * Treatment methods commonly used with functional assessment. Using functional assessment in treatment planning. __Functional Assessment for Challenging Behaviors__ is an essential resource for researchers, scientist-practitioners, and graduate students in clinical child and school psychology, pediatric psychiatry and medicine, social work, rehabilitation, and developmental psychology. As the cornerstone of applied behavior analysis, functional assessment is supported by a burgeoning literature that focuses on identification of and interventions for aggressive, self-injurious, and other challenging behaviors. Although the number of research studies continues to grow, full-length volumes on using functional assessment to address these behaviors remain few and far between. Comprehensive in coverage, Functional Assessment for Challenging Behaviors expands the knowledge base by providing information on all aspects of its topic. This unique volume addresses basic questions in salient detail, from types and rates of challenging behaviors to populations that warrant functional assessment. In addition, it examines typical assessment techniques, including interview, scaling, experimental, and in vivo methods. The use of functional assessment in treatment planning – and in combination with other interventions – is covered in depth. An especially timely chapter identifies key ethical and legal concerns in working with challenging behavior populations. Coverage includes: The history of behavior analysis and functional assessment. The nature, prevalence, and characteristics of challenging behaviors. Interview and observation methods in functional assessment and analysis. Experimental functional analysis for challenging behaviors. Treatment methods commonly used with functional assessment. Using functional assessment in treatment planning. Functional Assessment for Challenging Behaviors is an essential resource for researchers, scientist-practitioners, and graduate students in clinical child and school psychology, pediatric psychiatry and medicine, social work, rehabilitation, and developmental psychology. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-1 A Brief History of Functional Analysis and Applied Behavior Analysis....Pages 3-24 Nature, Prevalence, and Characteristics of Challenging Behavior....Pages 25-44 Function of Challenging Behaviors....Pages 45-64 Populations and Problems Evaluated with Functional Assessment....Pages 65-89 Methods of Defining and Observing Behaviors....Pages 91-103 Interview and Observation Methods in Functional Assessment....Pages 105-124 Experimental Functional Analysis....Pages 125-141 In Vivo Assessment: Issues of Real-Time Data....Pages 143-158 Scaling Methods of Functional Assessment....Pages 159-177 Treatment Methods Commonly Used in Conjunction with Functional Assessment....Pages 179-193 The Role of Functional Assessment in Treatment Planning....Pages 195-211 Ethical Issues and Considerations....Pages 213-233 Back Matter....Pages 235-243 US federal regulations require mental health and education specialists to be well versed in functional assessment of clients presenting challenging behaviors. This handbook details numerous assessment methods as well as addressing ethical and legal concerns.