Function Based Interventions

Overview and Purpose

Function-based interventions are specific interventions that are based on the function or reason a problem behavior is occurring. In many school settings, interventions are designed simply based on what the adults want the child to be doing instead of engaging in the problem behavior. This leads to ineffective interventions, frustrated staff and children that are not successful in school.  This module is designed to give educators a brief overview of the common functions of behaviors and practical information to create more effective interventions.

Performance Objectives

Upon completion of this module the learner will be able to...

• use data to identify the function of challenging behavior
• state the importance of function-based interventions
• understand all the parts of an intervention
• determine appropriate interventions for each function

Course Units

This mini-course includes the following units. Click the title of a unit to go to its page.

Unit 1: Functions of Behavior

Extended Resources

Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied Behavior Analysis. Pearson Education Limited.

Germer, K. A., Kaplan, L. M., Giroux, L. N., Markham, E. H., Ferris, G. J., Oakes, W. P., & Lane, K. L. (2011). A function-based intervention to increase a second-grade student's on-task behavior in a general education classroom. Beyond Behavior, 20(3),19+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A325091255/AONE?u=anon~9e4fa3ca&sid=googleScholar&xid=c143ffa7

Liaupsin, C. J., & Cooper, J. T. (2017). Function-based intervention plans: What and how to teach. Beyond Behavior, 26(3), 135–140. https://doi.org/10.1177/1074295617728511

Marleau, B., Lanovaz, M. J., Gendron, A., Higbee, T. S., & Morin, D. (2018). Using Interactive Web Training to Teach Parents to Select Function-Based Interventions for Challenging Behaviour: A Preliminary Study. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 44(4), 492–496. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2018.1464281

McKenna, J. W., Flower, A., Falcomata, T., & Adamson, R. M. (2017). Function-Based Replacement Behavior Interventions for Students with Challenging Behavior. Behavioral Interventions, 32(4), 379–398. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1484

National Center on Intensive Intervention. (2013, October). Using FBA for Diagnostic Assessment in Behavior.

Reeves, L. M., Umbreit, J., Ferro, J. B., & Liaupsin, C. J. (2017). The Role of the Replacement Behavior in Function-Based Intervention. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 52(3), 305–316. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26420402

Stahr, B., Cushing, D., Lane, K., & Fox, J. (2006). Efficacy of a function-based intervention in decreasing off-task behavior exhibited by a student with ADHD. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 8(4), 201–211. https://doi.org/10.1177/10983007060080040301

Whitford, D. K., Liaupsin, C. J., Umbreit, J., & Ferro, J. B. (2013). Implementation of a single comprehensive function-based intervention across multiple classrooms for a high school student. Education and Treatment of Children, 36(4), 147–167. https://doi.org/10.1353/etc.2013.0036

Wills, H. P., Kamps, D., Hansen, B., Conklin, C., Bellinger, S., Neaderhiser, J., & Nsubuga, B. (2010). The Classwide Function-Based Intervention Team Program. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 54(3), 164–171. https://doi.org/10.1080/10459880903496230