Functional Approach to Understanding Behavior

Overview

The Functional Approach to Understanding Behavior course offers a practical and foundational exploration into behavior analysis, focusing on understanding why behaviors occur and how to effectively respond to them. In the first lesson, Functions of Behavior, students learn to identify the four primary reasons behaviors occur—attention, escape, access to tangibles, and sensory stimulation. This knowledge serves as the cornerstone for designing effective behavior support plans. The second lesson, Antecedent Intervention, introduces proactive strategies to prevent challenging behaviors before they occur. These include modifying environments, routines, or instructions to reduce triggers and promote appropriate alternatives. The third lesson, Consequence-Level Intervention, teaches students how to respond to behaviors after they happen in ways that reduce problem behavior and encourage positive change. This includes reinforcement strategies, redirection, and planned responses. Throughout the course, participants will develop their ability to observe, assess and intervene based on the function of behavior. IMPORTANT: This course is not designed to prepare students for national certification, such as the Registered Behavior Technician credential offered by the BACB. Enrollees will gain the foundational/fundamental knowledge on subject matter relevant to the profession. While references may be made throughout the training to Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) or Behavior Technicians (BTs), to gain industry certification, a more comprehensive program must be completed through enrollment via approved/eligible schools such as MedCerts.

Syllabus

Module 1 - Functions of Behavior

In this module, students learn to identify the four primary reasons behaviors occur—attention, escape, access to tangibles, and sensory stimulation. This knowledge serves as the cornerstone for designing effective behavior support plans.

Module 2 - Antecedent Interventions

This module introduces proactive strategies to prevent challenging behaviors before they occur. These include modifying environments, routines, or instructions to reduce triggers and promote appropriate alternatives.

Module 3 - Consequence-Level Intervention

This module teaches students how to respond to behaviors after they happen in ways that reduce problem behavior and encourage positive change, including reinforcement strategies, redirection, and planned responses.