Functional Behavior Assessments Through a Progressive Functional Contextualism Lens

Advancing Clinical ABA Practice

In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) have long been a cornerstone for understanding and addressing challenging behaviors. Traditionally focused on identifying antecedents, behaviors, and consequences (the ABCs), FBAs provide the foundation for creating function-based interventions. However, as the field evolves, so too must our methods. A Progressive Functional Contextualism (FC) lens expands traditional FBAs by incorporating cultural awareness, systemic awareness, and client values, leading to more compassionate, ethical, and impactful clinical practices.

A Brief History of Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs)

FBAs originated in the 1980s with pioneers like Iwata et al. (1982), who introduced methodologies for empirically identifying behavior functions. These assessments revolutionized ABA by moving away from punitive approaches and emphasizing function-based interventions. Despite their effectiveness, traditional FBAs have notable limitations:

-Narrow Scope: They focus primarily on immediate contingencies, often overlooking environmental, historical, and systemic influences.

-Reductionism: Behavior is analyzed in isolation, neglecting the dynamic interplay between individuals and their environments.

-Limited Cultural Awareness: Traditional FBAs rarely account for cultural or societal factors that shape behavior.

-Exclusion of Client Voice: Individuals’ perspectives and lived experiences are often underrepresented.

To address these gaps, behavior analysts must adopt a more nuanced approach—one that embraces the complexity of human behavior and prioritizes inclusivity, ethics, and collaboration.