Implementation of Functional Behavior Assessments for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Exhibiting Sexually Inappropriate Behaviors

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonses.559

Keywords:

Functional behavior assessment, Functional analysis, Developmental disabilities, Sexual behaviors

Abstract

A functional behavior assessment is an evidence-based process that identifies the function of challenging behaviors in order for educators to develop behavior intervention plans for students with disabilities. All behaviors are under stimulus control and research indicates that behaviors typically serve four functions: tangible, escape, attention, and automatic. However, when individuals with developmental disabilities engage in inappropriate sexual behaviors such as exposing their genitalia in public places or groping a stranger, it is not typical for practitioners to implement this functional behavior assessment process as these sexual behaviors are often viewed as different from non-sexual inappropriate behaviors like screaming in class or throwing school materials. This article presents information of how to complete a comprehensive functional behavior assessment for three students with developmental disabilities who exhibit sexually inappropriate behaviors in school settings to highlight the usefulness of the functional behavior assessment process for developing behavior intervention plans for long lasting behavior change

Author Biographies

Cheryl Ostryn, Russell Sage College

Center for Applied Behavior Analysis

Pamela S. Wolfe, The Pennsylvania State University

Pamela S. Wolfe, Ph.D. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3153-7594The Pennsylvania State University201 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802USAContact e-mail: psw7@psu.edu

Jennifer L. Wertalik, Georgia Southern University

Jennifer L. Wertalik, Ph.D., BCBA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9065-8847Georgia Southern University1332 Southern Dr, Statesboro, GA 30458USAContact e-mail: jwertalik@georgiasouthern.edu

References

Ostryn, C., Wolfe, P. S., & Wertalik, J. L. (2023). Implementation of functional behavior assessments for individuals with developmental disabilities exhibiting sexually inappropriate behaviors. International Journal on Social and Education Sciences (IJonSES), 5(3), 435-451. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonses.559

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Published

2023-08-18

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2023)

Section

Articles

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