title: Using functional assessment to treat behavior problems of deaf and hard of hearing children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: A defining feature of autism spectrum disorders is atypical behaviors, e.g., stereotypy, noncompliance, rituals, and aggression. Deaf and hard of hearing individuals with autism present a greater challenge because of additional issues related to their hearing status. One conceptualization of problem behavior is that it serves a communication function, i.e., the person has learned that certain misbehaviors may be reinforced in some way. The present article describes "functional behavior assessment," a group of state-of-the-art methodologies that allow a caregiver to determine the cause of the behavior, so that treatment--based on that cause--will be more effective. Different methods of functional assessment are described, along with a step-by-step implementation sequence. The results of a functional assessment should lead to more effective programming, resulting in quicker elimination of the behavioral concerns, and allow the person to gain access to greater independence and more reinforcement.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zane
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Estep
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quinn
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003638:Deafness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D004519:Education, Special; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012931:Social Environment