Developing Functional Assessment-Based Interventions in Early Childhood Settings

Functional assessment-based intervention has been identified as a best practice for addressing the challenging behavior of young children in preschool and childcare settings (Dunlap et al., 2006). In this session, we will share a number of easy to use tools that will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the assessment and development of a function-based intervention for young children. We will provide a step-by-step description for the assessment and intervention development process and teach participants how and when tools are most effectively used. Specific strategies and tools discussed during this DEC Learning Deck presentation will address: interviewing forms and techniques (including child interview strategies), developing a replacement behavior, assessing the classroom environment, using data to identify function, and procedures for linking assessment information to function-based intervention components.
 
Presenters: Brenna K. Wood, PhD, BCBA-D, and Jolenea B. Ferro, PhD, BCBA-D

Brenna K. Wood, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education and Human Services at Lehigh University. She has a PhD in special education from the University of Arizona and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral. A driving force for Dr. Wood’s research in the areas of social emotional competence and interventions for decreasing the challenging behavior of young children is the concern for the amount of young children suspended and/or expelled from their early childhood programs. Her research focuses on the implementation of positive behavior support strategies to decrease challenging behavior and increase the pro-social behavior of young children. In addition, her research includes strategies to support early childhood practitioner involvement in behavior intervention plan development and to provide training in the use of positive behavior supports in early childhood classrooms.
 
Jolenea B. Ferro, PhD, BCBA – D, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies and the Training Director for the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities at the University of South Florida Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. She has a PhD in special education from the University of Florida and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral. Her research and practice are focused on developing interventions and supports for learners with severe behavior problems and applications of both targeted and individualized behavioral support for young children. She has trained and coached early childhood professionals in community settings, Head Start, and school-based programs.  In addition, she guides and coaches preservice teachers in the implementation of evidence-based practices and individualized interventions.