Functional Behaviour Assessment
The underlying principle of this approach is that all behaviour directed towards another is an attempt
to communicate something. Therefore, functional behavioural analysis aims to identify the
underlying motivation for the behaviour. It looks for patterns between the behaviour and the events
before and after each episode.
The aim is to answer the question “Why is this behaviour occurring?” Is it to gain attention? Is it to
avoid doing an unpleasant task? Functional behavioural analysis is normally undertaken by
psychologists or behaviour therapists and carers.
A functional analysis can be very time consuming as it requires observing a person over a period of
time to get sufficient data to identify the underlying motivation for the behaviour.
What may motivate challenging behaviours?
Common motivations may include the following:
1.
To initiate social interaction.
2.
To escape or avoid a task or stressful situation.
3.
To achieve a pleasurable sensory effect.
4.
To obtain something.
5.
To express an emotion or reduce stress.
