Classroom-Based Functional Analysis and Intervention for Disruptive and Off-Task Behaviors

Although there is a growing body of literature on the use of functional analysis in schools, there is a need for more demonstrations of this technology being used during the course of typical instruction. In this study, we conducted functional analyses of disruptive and off-task behavior in a reading classroom setting for 3 participants of typical intelligence identified as at-risk for reading failure. The teacher implemented two functional analysis conditions (i.e., escape, and attention) and a control condition. The results of the functional analysis suggested that disruptive behaviors were maintained by teacher attention for all 3 participants. Based on the functional analysis results, the teacher implemented a differential reinforcement of other behavior procedure in which participants were given a high rate of attention in the absence of disruptive and off-task behaviors. In addition, the teacher implemented a differential reinforcement of alternative behaviors procedure in which the appropriate recruitment of teacher attention was reinforced. The procedures were implemented using a multiple baseline design across participants. During intervention, the disruptive behaviors of all 3 participants decreased to near zero levels.