-Content Expert Andy Garbacz
This section includes resources associated with formative or summative information gathering tools that may be used to develop an understanding of patterns affecting behavior, inform intervention, or evaluate practices and outcomes. The tools are focused at the individual, group, and systems levels.
Contextual Fit
- The Importance of Contextual Fit when Implementing Evidenced-based Interventions - Horner, Blitz, & Ross (2014). ASPE issue brief focused on contextual fit.
- Challenging Behaviour and Learning Disabilities: Prevention and Intervention for people with Learning Disabilities Whose Behavior Challenges - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK) (2015). A resource for providing PBS guidance to support staff and families including creating environments supportive to changing behavior (free).
- Aspect Positive Behaviour Support Contextual Fit Checklist for Families
Data Collection Tools
- Observing Behavior Using ABC Data - Indiana Resource Center for Autism. A brief explanation and examples of ABC data collection in parent-child interactions.
- Guided Context-ABC Data Gathering - Data tool for recording patterns surrounding behavior.
- Scatter Plot - Data tool for recording behavior across activities/times of day and days.
- Duration Datasheet - Data collection tool for recording length of behavior.
- Interval Datasheet - Data collection tool for recording whether behavior occurs within specified periods of time.
- Frequency Datasheet - Data collection tool for recording how often behavior occurs.
- Intensity Datasheet - Data collection tool for recording magnitude or severity of behavior.
- Time Sampling Datasheet - Template for whole, partial, or momentary time sampling.
- Behavior Rating Scale - Tool for rating the intensity of different behaviors per day.
- Frequency Record/Graph - Data tool for recording frequency data to display as a graph.
- Daily Activity and Goal Record - Tool for recording functional communication targets and problem behavior across activities.
- Percentage of Successful Mands Record - Tool for recording percentage of successful mands for attention, tangibles, escape, or sensory input across activities.
- Skill Training Data Collection - Complex datasheet for recording prompt levels for steps on a task analysis, fidelity of instructional protocol, and problem behavior.
- Community Participation Record - Tool for recording length, level of participation, and problem behavior across community environments.
Fidelity Assessments
- Behavior Support Plan Fidelity Checklist - Tool for evaluating consistency in implementation of components of a comprehensive support plan.
- PBS Plan Fidelity Tracking Tool. Data collection tool for evaluating consistency of implementation of PBS strategies within and across routines (free).
- Goal Planning Matrix - Tool for planning implementation on goals within various routines across the day.
- Implementation Fidelity Observation Tool - Excel spreadsheet for assessing fidelity of PBS plan implementation and instructional strategy use.
- Implementation Form for Staff - One-page tool for assessing whether proactive, instructional and reinforcement-based strategies are being used as designed by staff.
- Parent Plan Monitoring - Simple yes/no tool for parents to assess whether they are using different components of a behavior plan for their child.
- Skill Training Data Collection - Complex datasheet for recording prompt levels for steps on a task analysis, fidelity of instructional protocol, and problem behavior.
Functional Behavior Assessment
- Compendium of Resources for Positive Behavior Support: A guide for behavior support practitioners (2019). Comprehensive guide published by NDIS Quality Safeguards Commission in Australia. This guide contains assessment forms and checklists (free).
- Functional Assessment and Program Development for Problem Behavior - O'Neill, Albin, Storey, Horner, & Sprague (2015). Practical handbook to guide practitioners through comprehensive functional assessment to design relevant interventions (for purchase).
- Functional Assessment Interview Form: Young Child - Center on Social and Emotional Foundations of Early Learning (2010). Questionnaire for assessing patterns affecting behavior adapted from O'Neill et al (1997) FAI (free).
- Individual Positive Behavior Support: Functional Behavioral Assessment Review -Minnesota Department of Human Services (2018). Overview of FBA and strategies to enhance use in community with embedded examples (free).
- Motivation Assessment Scale - Durand & Crimmins, Amazon. Rating tools for preliminary identification of behavioral functions (for purchase).
- Multimodal Functional Behavioral Assessment - MFBA Website. Blank forms, examples of assessment and intervention summaries, and training resources (free).
- PBS Practice - Methods of Functional Behavior Assessment - Rehabilitative Research and Training Center on Positive Behavior Support. Two-page overview of FBA and data collection methods (free).
- Practical Functional Assessment - Website with tutorial on functional behavioral assessment with presentation slides (free).
- Process of PBS (Step 3): Functional Behavioral Assessment - Technical Assistance Center on Social and Emotional Intervention. Blank forms and examples of setting event, ABC, context, FAI, and preference assessment tools (free).
- Understanding Behavior Webinar - Dillon, Champion & Dixon, Positive Connections. Recorded presentation for families and practitioners by Australian autism program.
Other Assessments
- Positive Environment Checklist - Specialized Training Project, University of Oregon. Assessment tool for evaluating physical environment, social setting, activities and instruction, scheduling and predictability, and communication supports (free).
- Antecedent Analysis - LaVigna & Willis (1997). Article in the Positive Practices newsletter describing methods to assess antecedent conditions affecting behavior that includes examples and tools (free).
- Reinforcement Inventory - IABA (1993). Preference assessments for children and adults developed as part of a Behavior Assessment guide.
