Project Purpose

Main Topic Index

I. What is Challenging Behavior?

II. Functional Behavior Assessment

III. Overview of Intervention Strategies

IV. Communicative Alternatives

V. Implementing Antecedent-Based Strategies

Using an Environmental Manipulation Assessment

Environmental manipulations are also known as functional analyses in the research literature. An environmental manipulation assessment involves altering specific antecedents and/or consequences believed to be associated with the challenging behavior. By altering what immediately precedes or follows the challenging behavior, observers can identify what increases the likelihood of the occurrence of challenging behavior.

Environmental manipulations should be used with behaviors that are not dangerous or life threatening and that occur frequently and are somewhat predictable. Due to the risk of provoking challenging behavior, it is important that the interventionist is well trained and has the resources necessary to keep all participants of an environmental manipulation safe.

Click here for additional information and examples using environmental manipulation.