Which forms of FBA can confirm hypotheses regarding problem behavior?

Functional behavior assessment (FBA) is an essential process in special education for understanding why students engage in problem behaviors. Among the various methods of conducting an FBA, both functional analysis and descriptive assessment are effective in confirming hypotheses about problem behaviors.

Functional analysis involves manipulating environmental variables to observe changes in behavior. This method allows practitioners to directly test the hypotheses they've formed about the functions of the behavior—such as whether it serves to gain attention, escape a situation, or fulfill a sensory need. By systematically altering conditions and observing the corresponding behaviors, an educator can establish causation and validate their hypotheses.

Descriptive assessment, on the other hand, involves systematically observing and recording the behavior as it occurs in its natural context without manipulation. This method helps gather data on the antecedents and consequences associated with the behavior, thus providing insights into the conditions under which the behavior is likely to occur. The data collected can help confirm or refute the initial hypotheses about the function of the behavior based on observed patterns.

In contrast, indirect assessment primarily involves gathering information through checklists, interviews, or surveys without direct observation. While this can provide useful insights, it does not typically provide the same level of confirmation regarding the behavior's function as the more direct methods of functional analysis and