Positive behaviour support Getting it right from the start

Positive behaviour support: Getting it right from the start - Facilitators reference manual 59
Completing a functional behaviour assessment
PowerPoint 81 Step 1. Clearly defining the behaviour of concern
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This is often referred to as an ‘operational definition’ of the behaviour. Having a clear and
concise definition of the behaviour is essential when conducting a functional assessment. As a
functional assessment may consider observations/records/ideas from more than one person, it
is important that everyone has exactly the same behaviour in mind. A good operational definition
may also serve as a helpful reference for others involved in providing support to the person.
Behaviours should not be written in a way that is vague or subjective or broad. The definition
needs to be specific. A good operational definition of the behaviour is one that is written in a
way that:
1. can be visualised
2. frequency can be counted
3. is agreed on by different observers regarding its occurrence and absence.
PowerPoint 82
PowerPoint 83
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Three examples of client behaviours are written below.
Identify which one is written objectively and rewrite the others according to the above
guidelines.
1. Mario has a long history of aggression. When Mario gets upset he will often kick staff and
co-residents and at times will throw items such as chairs and cups at others.
2. Sally will hit her head against walls in her bedroom on a daily basis and this becomes more
frequent at the end of each month.
3. Terry often presents with withdrawn behaviour and on occasion he does not comply with
staffs requests. Sometimes Terry will also pick at his bottom and rub his genitals when staff
members tell him what to do.
Watch snippets from the Australian movie The Black Balloon. After viewing one or two
snippets describe the behaviours observed.
Review all the information you have collected on your focus person.
As a group describe three behaviours that are of concern.
These behaviours will become the focus of the next few activities.