ABA offers a framework to help us understand how behavior functions for an individual. To do this, we implement data-based assessment. Subsequently we link the outcome of the assessment to support strategies. Without the evolution of ABA, PBS would not exist. Functional assessment provides a good example of how aspects of PBS were derived from the principles of ABA.
Establishing an Operational Definition
One of the first steps of completing a functional assessment is to define the problem behavior(s) in observable and measurable terms. This is known as an operational definition. A solid operational definition of a problem behavior is key to ensure:
- Consistency: that all team members are talking about the same thing
- Objectivity: that all team members refer to the problem behavior in the same way
- Reliability: that recorded observations are the same (or similar) across different observers
An operational definition should be:
- Objective (measureable, observable)
- Clear
- Complete (the boundaries of the behavior are described precisely and there is differentiation between occurrences from non-occurrences of the target behavior)
Examples:
Criterion | What it means | Good Example | Bad Example |
Observable | Can it be seen | Bites at arms of staff members | Is aggressive towards staff members |
Measurable | Can it be counted reliably | Yells “I hate you” at a staff member during dinner | Is rude to a staff member during dinner |
Repeatable | Is the behavior a one time occurrence or representative of a pattern? | Hits head against wall | Tries to hurt self |