About this series:
This three part series is designed to help Challenging Behavior Specialists (CBS) implement appropriate Functional Based Assessments (FBA) and to create effective and durable Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) for children who display challenging behaviors. Part two of this series includes seven ICN sessions (and a session dedicated for review) designed to increase the CBS’s understanding and abilities to conduct the full gamut of technologies that make-up the FBA continuum. This series is designed to increase understanding of the “theory” behind FBA beyond just simple application of this technology.
Part two of this series is intended to support CBS’s from each AEA who are involved in the training of assessment of children with challenging behaviors. These trainings coincide with the practical experiences they are receiving from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in FBA and the concepts discussed in this series are designed to increase the technical assistance capabilities of each CBS. This particular series will involve the CBS’s as lecturers of the main topics of this series. Details of who will present each topic are still to be determined, however an updated list can be found at the following website:
http://iowals.wetpaint.com/page/Challenging+Behavior
While the CBS’s are the target audience this series, anyone in the state that works with children who display challenging behaviors and would benefit from this instruction is welcome to attend. For all attendees, a basic understanding of FBA technology and how FBA is appropriately used to assist with the development of effective and durable BIPs will be provided. Part two will also focus on providing the attendees the following: a) the history and ethical use of FBA, b) knowledge of the methods that constitute Indirect and Direct Assessments of FBA technology, and c) how to match the treatment plans generated for BIPs to the function of challenging behavior(s) identified from conclusive FBA data. Each session focuses on an ever-increasing technological sound FBA methodology designed to provide a continuum of assessment methodologies from which a CBS can to select from when addressing the needs of children with behavioral challenges. The overall theme across these sessions is the development of concrete knowledge that permits for fluent application of appropriate FBA technologies that will result in the selection of appropriate, effective, and durable BIP’s designed to reduce challenging behaviors and to increase appropriate/adaptive behaviors displayed by children with such concerns.
Maximum benefit for attendees will be gleaned by attending all sessions in the series, however CBS’s should select from those sessions that most meet their needs. In addition, up to 2 additional readings is assigned to each session as a means to augment the attendees learning. The articles can be located at the aforementioned link for time-limited periods leading up to the ICN session dates, however, most articles can also be found on the internet.
It is strongly recommended that attendees read these articles before attending sessions, as much of the content in the session will be gleaned from these readings.
Any remaining time during sessions will be allocated for question and answers periods regarding the topics and for networking and information sharing between AEA staff and participants.
All efforts will be made to keep topics on the dates listed. Changes may be made based on presenter availability or the emergence of unplanned issues (e.g., weather).
November 28, 2012
Introduction to Functional Assessment and History of FBA
Presenters: Jodie Tuttle and Stacy Volmer Challenging Behavior Consultant, Heartland and Prairie Lakes AEAs
The initial session will focus on a review of the history of FBA technology highlighting the importance of conducting appropriate FBAs prior to the development of BIPs. The full continuum of FBA methodologies will also be highlighted.
December 12, 2012
Indirect Assessments: Checklists, Rating Scales and Interviews
Presenter: Julie Thomas Challenging Behavior Consultant, Great Prairie AEA
This session will focus on the implementation of FBA’s using Indirect Assessments as a hypothesis development tool to determine the function of challenging behavior(s). Strengths and weakness of these technologies will be discussed.
******The December 19th session listed below was postponed! Therefore, from this date forward, the content will be bumped to the next consecutive date.*****
December 19, 2012 *Changed to January 9*
Naturalistic Assessments: ABC Assessments and Descriptive Analyses
Presenters: Sandy Lichty and Lindsay Stangeland Challenging Behavior Consultant, AEA 267 and Grant Wood AEA
This session will focus on the implementation of FBA using Naturalistic, Direct Observation, Assessments as a hypothesis development tool to determine the function of challenging behavior(s). Strengths and weakness of these technologies will also be discussed.
January 9, 2013 *Changed to January 23*
Experimental Analyses: Functional Analysis
Presenter: Anne Britt, Challenging Behavior Consultant, Keystone AEA
This session will focus primarily on the implementation of FBA using Functional Analysis, an Experimental, Direct Observational, Assessment that is considered the most powerful technology to determine and confirm the function of challenging behavior(s). Strengths and weakness of this technology will also be discussed.
January 23, 2013 *Changed to February 6*
Other Experimental Analyses: Structural Analysis and Concurrent Operants Assessments
Presenters: Jan Turbes and Glenda Harms, Challenging Behavior Consultants, Northwest and Great Prairie AEAs
This session will focus primarily on the implementation of FBA using other Direct Observation forms of Experimental Analyses to determine the function of behavior(s). These strategies will be discussed as alternative methods when functional analyses are not possible or provide conclusive results. Strengths and weakness of these technologies will also be discussed.
February 6, 2013 *Changed to February 20*
Using Structured Criteria to Evaluate FBA and BIP data
Presenters: Sean Casey, Challenging Behavior Consultant, Iowa Department of Education
The final session of Part two of this series will focus on how to utilize structured criteria for high stakes decision making regarding challenging behavior within Functional Analysis. The sessions will also show how such criteria could be used for decision making of various intervention components within an existing BIP and when to make modifications.
February 20, 2013
FBA Procedures Manual Review: Make-up Date
Presenters: Sean D. Casey, Ph.D., BCBA Challenging Behavior Consultant, Iowa Department of Education
This session is dedicated to the review of a procedures manual designed based on the utilization of all of the technologies covered within this series. The manual will be covered in its entirety. This session would also serve as a make-up session should any of the other sessions were unable to be held (e.g., weather).
