Amy D Diamond

Methods and Assessment: Literacy Interventions for Struggling Learners & Students with High-Incidence
Disabilities
FABI Assignment

Reflection

Assignment Purpose

The Functional Assessment-Based Intervention Assignment was a highly involved

process of analyzing a selected low intensity/high frequency behavior exhibited by a student.

The project measured and analyzed the occurrence of the behavior and then attempted to

develop, implement and analyze the effectiveness of a plan to address the target behavior. This

assignment involved defining a target behavior and using a variety of tools to determine the

function of the target behavior. It also included collecting and analyzing data.

Assignment Requirements

The first step of the FABI assignment included selecting a student who exhibited a low

intensity/high frequency behavior. Next, permission was obtained from teachers, parents and

administrators of the selected student. I selected a student in an early childhood special

education classroom who was supposed to serve as a peer model but was exhibiting several

behaviors that impeded learning of himself and those around him.

The next step of the FABI assignment involved observing the student to determine a

target behavior. This was completed using a variety of sources including anecdotal observation,

checklists, interviews and a function matrix. After the behavior to target was selected, it was

defined operationally. Finally, a possible function of behavior was determined by analyzing the

collected data and determining a functional replacement behavior to teach the student. For the

student I had selected, the target behavior was leaving a designated area.

After the target behavior was selected, observations were performed to collect baseline

data. A data collection system was determined and used to collect and then analyze the baseline

data. I used a duration recoding method in order to determine how long the student remained in
Amy D Diamond
Methods and Assessment: Literacy Interventions for Struggling Learners & Students with High-Incidence
Disabilities
FABI Assignment

a designated area. Once baseline was established, the intervention was designed to teach a

replacement behavior and extinguish the target behavior. Procedures for implementing the

intervention were taught to staff and student. For my student, we designed a visual system of

tasks to be completed at the designated area, followed by a reinforcer he had selected prior to

beginning. Finally, the intervention was implemented. Data was collected to evaluate the

effectiveness of the intervention.

Revision and Application

My main revisions were completed in the initial assignment. The instructor provided

frequent and consistent feedback involving the definition and measurement of the target

behavior. For example, in my initial definition I had not indicated a specific distance or amount

of space that indicated a designated area. In the revised definition, I added the distance

element indicating any time the student was more than 1 foot from the designated area for more

than 3 seconds during instruction. We selected during instruction as a segment to focus on

instead of anytime he was supposed to be in a designated area to try to make the most

meaningful impact on his learning. I also added a square taped on the floor to help indicate the

designated area for student and implementers.

As an educator, I valued the information I derived from the FABI assignment. However,

the teacher and I both found it difficult to implement the designed procedure due to staff and

time constraints. I found it valuable to be an extra person in the classroom and provide

instruction in the replacement behavior, but difficult to maintain once my course had ended. The

FABI assignment provides a thorough analysis of behavior but its complexity and time involved

makes it difficult to complete independently. However, that may be part of the point to

collaborate with other professionals and utilize different perspectives throughout the process.
Amy D Diamond
Methods and Assessment: Literacy Interventions for Struggling Learners & Students with High-Incidence
Disabilities
FABI Assignment

While, my intervention helped to reduce some of the behaviors that were occurring when he was

not is his designated area, the classroom teacher abandoned it shortly after, stating it was too

much work to keep up with. Also the overall, project was difficult to complete and become

thoroughly engaged in due to the limited time in which to complete it. I would have preferred to

complete this in a full semester format to allow more time for analysis and more thorough

reflection. Perhaps, I could design a less involved intervention that would have been easier for

the classroom teacher to maintain.