FBA

Presentation

EDSE 624Jennifer Cain

University of Alaska

Anchorage

Sarah

9 year old female

No history of developmental delays

Evaluated for medical/mental/psychological causes for toe-walking

Diagnosed with idiopathic toe-walking and shortened Achilles Tendon at age 7

Treatments: physical therapy (ongoing); serial casting (12 weeks); Night splints (ongoing); surgery in future?

Behavior Target Behavior: avoidance behaviors

when asked to do exercises (through

stalling, fidgeting, doing out of sight)

Replacement Behavior: complete

exercises as shown by physical therapist in

a timely manner

FBA: Phase I Team: Mom, Dad, Physical Therapist

Interviewed student, parents, therapist

Direct Observation (ABC Data)

Function Matrix

Positive

Reinforcement

Negative

Reinforcement

Attention

Tangibles/Activit

y X

Sensory X

Phase II: Intervention and

Testing

Method 2: Adjust Antecedent Conditions:

Set up scheduled time with student to

complete stretches

3 times daily (before breakfast, afterschool,

and at bedtime)

Reminders from Mom or Dad

Reinforce Replacement

Behavior

Praise

Earning nights off from wearing night splint

Reduced exercises for quality

Extinguish Target Behavior

Redirection

Do task as directed

No activities until task is completed

Intervention Testing A-B-A-B testing using schedule and not

using schedule

Observations; collection of data using

latency chart

Latency DataTime Measured in Seconds

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

A B A B

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Conclusions Adjusting the antecedent was the key to

changing behavior

Praise and pointing out achieved skills also showed importance of therapy and exercises and seemed to make a difference

Identifying sensory function also helped; looked at additional sensory inputs and explained to student

Currently implementation phase; fading using self-monitoring, checklist, and timer