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Identifying functions of behavior is an important step in any development of creating an intervention plan

Psychology

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Identifying functions of behavior is an important step in any development of creating an intervention plan. This helps to reduce the implementation of ineffective behavioral support plans. For this discussion question, please read the case study of ShariLynn located on pages 111–113 of your Functional Assessment text. Then write a substantial discussion post on the following:

• Identify the function of ShariLynn's challenging behaviors. To do this, analyze the ABC data found on pages 112–113.
• Provide a rationale for why you selected that function, after you have identified the function of ShariLynn's behavior?
• Provide an explanation as to why the other functions are not applicable for this case.

Pages 111-113

ShariLynn

ShariLynn is a 13-year-old student enrolled in a regular education classroom. She receives daily special education services in the resource room and speech and language therapy in the speech pathologist’s office two days per week. ShariLynn is diagnosed with a learning disability in reading and communication delays. Her regular education classroom contains 25 other students and one teacher.

ShariLynn generally enjoys school, especially her regular education classroom. She likes her teacher and has many friends. She really likes to participate in cooperative group activities. She readily participates in most activities and routines and gets good grades on assignments that do not involve reading skills. ShariLynn excels in sports, is a member of the school soccer team, and recently qualified for membership on the track team.

ShariLynn also likes the teacher in the resource room and the speech and language pathologist. However, she does not like leaving regular education to go to her special education class. She is afraid that other students will make fun of her when she leaves, and often she refuses to go to speech therapy and the resource room. The frequency of refusals and noncompliant behavior is increasing, and this behavior is expanding to other activities and routines within the regular classroom and other school settings. Together, the educators working with ShariLynn have made a referral for behavioral consultation. They are concerned about her increasing noncompliance in speech therapy, the resource room, and the regular education classroom.

Dr. Knofler, the behavior analyst for the school district, observed ShariLynn and recorded both challenging and appropriate behaviors on the ABC recording form. Some of these observations follow: