Instruction in Functional Assessment, 2014a

Instruction in Functional Assessment Chapter 6
Demand (Escape) Condition
These are the standard experimental functional analysis conditions as described by
Iwata, et al., 1994/1982, JABA, 27, 197-209 and Iwata et al., 2000.
Description and Rationale:
The purpose of the demand condition is to determine if the individual’s problem
behavior is due to escape/avoidance of task demands or activities (AKA negative reinforcement).
A negative reinforcer (escape) is when an unpleasant stimulus is present and an
instance of the problem behavior removes that stimulus (Martin & Pear, 2011). The probability
of an individual’s behavior that results in a negative reinforcer increases in similar
future situations. Avoidance is when a threat of presentation of an aversive stimulus is
present and an instance of the behavior removes that threat. Across the functional analysis
conditions, if the individual’s problem behavior is worse when the demand condition is in
effect compared to that in the other conditions then the problem behavior may be maintained
by negative reinforcement.
Procedure:
Set timer and begin. The therapist, on repeated trials throughout the 5-min session,
presents an activity or instruction to complete a task that the individual has in the past
(based on interview or observational data) had difficulty in completing even when physically
guided to do so.
Specifically, the therapist and client are seated at a table and the therapist presents an
instruction to complete a task. The therapist waits for 5 s for the client to initiate a response.
If no response occurs to this first instruction then the therapist: (a) repeats the instruction;
(b) models or demonstrates the correct response; and (c) waits 5 s for a response by
the client = LEVEL 1 PROMPT
If no response occurs after the second instruction, then the therapist: (a) repeats the
instruction; (b) physically guides the client through the response using the least amount of
guidance required = LEVEL 2 PROMPT
If the client emits a correct response, prompted or unprompted, the therapist provides
praise (“Nice work”).
If the client engages in the problem behavior at any time, then the therapist immediately
turns away from the client for 30 s, with additional 30 s for any repeated instances of
the problem behavior.
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