Overview

The course will introduce the theoretical foundations of operant learning. The content is drawn from the BCBA Task List (5th Edition), Section 2: Applications, Content Area F: Behaviour Assessment

1 Review records and available data (e.g., educational, medical, historical) at the outset of the case. 2 Determine the need for behavior-analytic services. 3 Identify and prioritize socially significant behavior-change goals. 4 Conduct assessments of relevant skill strengths and deficits. 5 Conduct preference assessments. 6 Describe the common functions of problem behavior. 7 Conduct a descriptive assessment of problem behavior. 8 Conduct a functional analysis of problem behavior. 9 Interpret functional assessment data.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will consider how to choose the best assessment to determine the function of problem behaviour.

• Students will critically analyse peer reviewed literature to inform the kind of functional assessments they might use in practice.

• Students will explain how to conduct functional assessment and a functional analysis of problem behaviour.

• Students will fluently explain a range of assessment procedures needed for teaching programmes; these will include skill based assessments, preference assessments, and reinforcer assessment.