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by Dr. Durand


Functional Assessment and Positive Behavioral Support

Albany, NY - March 5th 1999

V. Mark Durand, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
University at Albany, SUNY
Albany, NY 12222

Functional assessment and positive behavioral support are now required by the IDEA for students with disabilities who have persistent problem behaviors. These approaches are based on two premises: 1) that behavior problems often reflect learned ways of responding to difficult situations and 2) that systemic ways of responding to these behaviors have proven ineffective. Unfortunately, there have been few guidelines for educators to aid them in conducting functional assessments and designing positive behavioral support plans. This workshop outlines how a functional model of problem behavior can 1) aid educators in identifying why students might be misbehaving and 2) help design positive support plans.

Functional Assessment

The first step in designing a comprehensive treatment program for behavior problems is identifying why the student is engaging in these behaviors. A number of different functional assessment techniques and devices will be described. Participants will receive training in how to use one of these devices -- the Motivation Assessment Scale -- in order to identify what is motivating the student's behavior problem.

Positive Behavioral Support

Positive behavioral support involves using information from functional assessments along with a consideration of the student's current strengths and needs as well as future goals to design a comprehensive plan. Developing this plan requires a team process, and the steps in completing this process will be outlined. Special consideration will be made for teaching alternative replacement behaviors that are designed to help students cope with our ever-changing world. Participants will be exposed to this approach -- called Functional Communication Training -- through didactic presentation and video examples.

Training Objectives

Participants should come away from the workshop knowing (1) the nature and functions of challenging behaviors, (2) how to assess for the functions of these behaviors, and (3) how to use positive behavioral support strategies (especially Functional Communication Training) to help reduce and prevent these challenges.

Activities of Participants

Attendees will complete one type of assessment tool (the revised Motivation Assessment Scale) and will participate in a discussion of its potential usefulness.

Last updated March 9, 1999


These web pages reside at the University at Albany. For more information, visit the Department of Psychology's homepage.

Questions about this web page should be sent to V. Mark Durand, Ph.D.