Instruction in Functional Assessment, 2014a

Instruction in Functional Assessment Chapter 2
3. Speculate about the possible difficulties involved in evaluating challenging behavior.
4. How can competency in performing FAs be established with college students who are
entering professions where they may work with individuals with challenging behavior?
5. What are important ethical considerations when assessing and treating the challenging
behaviors of individuals with developmental disabilities?
Exercise 1: Case Study Simulation
Jimmy is a fifth grade student who has been in and out of five foster homes over the
course of his life. Jimmy does not have many friends, due in part to his frequent transitions
to new schools and homes. Jimmy is currently placed with a loving older couple who want
to stabilize his daily life. Jimmy is very quiet and shy, often described as sullen by previous
teachers. He participates in noxious behaviors, such as vomiting and spitting, when asked
to complete a task that he doesn’t like or want to do. Using the approaches described in this
chapter, evaluate Jimmy’s problem behavior by answering the following questions:
1. Propose a behavioral definition for Jimmy’s challenging behaviors. Ad lib as needed.
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