Instruction in Functional Assessment, 2014a

Chapter 7
Resources
Focus Questions:
What templates and resources are available to use when attempting to replicate this
skill based approach to learning functional assessment?
The authors of Instruction in Functional Assessment hope that this text will equip learners
with the knowledge and skills to perform functional assessment. One of the unique features
of this book is the integration of both psychological and educational perspectives
embedded into the content and skills of FA. Such an endeavor can be challenging as the
two fields utilize different vocabularies and often alternative perspectives in viewing and intervening
with students with challenging behaviors. The following Table may help illustrate
the vocabulary differences among professionals in psychology and those with educational
backgrounds.
General Description
Behavior is often defined as the way in which one behaves or acts with others. This
can be an action or a reaction. Behavior is also a method of controlling yourself, your
actions, and your responses.
Descriptive Words Used in Psychology
Antecedents and consequences of
behavior, negative reinforcement, positive
reinforcement, conditions, clinical settings,
clients
Descriptive Words Used in
Education
Attention seeking, conduct, demeanor,
deportment, acting out, learning
environment, reacting