Functions of behaviour support refer to the underlying reasons or purposes that a particular behaviour serves for an individual. Understanding the functions of behaviour is crucial for developing effective behaviour support strategies, particularly in settings like special education, therapy, and mental health care. Identifying the function of behaviour helps to address the root cause of the behaviour, rather than just managing its symptoms.
There are typically four primary functions of behaviour support, based on behaviour analysis theory, particularly the Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) framework:
Table of Contents
Four primary functions of behaviour support
1. Attention
- Function: The behaviour occurs to gain attention from others (e.g., teacher, caregiver, peers).
- Examples: A child might engage in disruptive behaviour (like shouting or hitting) to get noticed or to seek a response from an adult.
- Behaviour Support: Intervention strategies might include teaching more appropriate ways to request attention or reinforcing positive social interactions, while minimizing reinforcement of disruptive behaviour.
2. Escape/Avoidance
- Function: The behaviour serves to avoid or escape from a situation, task, or demand that the individual finds unpleasant, difficult, or anxiety-inducing.
- Examples: A student might refuse to participate in a class activity or throw a tantrum to avoid a difficult assignment.
- Behaviour Support: Support might include modifying the environment to reduce stressors, breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, or teaching coping skills to handle challenging situations.
3. Access to Tangibles/Activities
- Function: The behaviour occurs to obtain access to a specific item or activity, such as a toy, food, or electronic device.
- Examples: A child may engage in whining or bargaining to get a favourite toy or snack.
- Behaviour Support: Strategies could involve teaching the individual how to request the item appropriately, setting clear expectations, and using reinforcement to encourage positive behaviour.
4. Sensory Stimulation (Automatic Reinforcement)
- Function: The behaviour serves to provide sensory feedback that is pleasurable or comforting. This is often seen in self-stimulatory behaviours.
- Examples: A child might engage in repetitive behaviours like hand-flapping, rocking, or tapping to provide self-stimulation or to self-soothe.
- Behaviour Support: Interventions might include providing alternative, more functional ways to achieve the sensory stimulation (e.g., providing fidget tools or other sensory-friendly objects) and teaching the individual how to self-regulate.
Understanding the Functions of Behaviour:
Understanding why a person engages in a specific behaviour is key to designing effective interventions. Behaviour support involves identifying the function of a behaviour and creating strategies that address the underlying cause in a more positive, functional way.
For example: If a child is engaging in disruptive behaviour to escape a difficult task (Escape/Avoidance), instead of punishing the behaviour, the support plan might focus on breaking down tasks into smaller steps, offering choices, or teaching the child ways to ask for a break.
Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA):
An FBA is a systematic process used to identify the function(s) of a behaviour. This involves observing the behaviour in various contexts, interviewing caregivers and teachers, and using data to hypothesize why a behaviour is occurring. Once the function is identified, the team can create a Behaviour Intervention Plan (BIP) tailored to the individual’s needs and the behaviour’s function.
Summary
In summary, the core functions of behaviour support are to help individuals engage in positive, adaptive behaviours by addressing the underlying reasons or needs driving challenging behaviours. By understanding these functions, behaviour support strategies can be more effective, sustainable, and personalized.
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