Definition and Rationale for Functional Assessment

Abstract

This chapter frames functional assessment as a broad class of methods for understanding challenging behavior and mental health disorders. We outline how various researchers define this group of methods in the literature and review theoretical and applied rationale for these methods. The specific type of functional assessment protocol used and its application will often need to vary in line with a number of factors, such as (a) the nature of the challenging behavior, (b) population studied, (c) who does the assessment, and (c) where the assessment occurs. Various studies will be described to exemplify the varying types, applications, and rationale for the use of different functional assessment methods. Functional assessment is a foundational aspect of contemporary interventions for supporting individuals with challenging behaviors and mental health disorders. Practitioners working with such individuals therefore require the competences necessary to implement functional assessments and interpret the resulting assessment data.KeywordsChallenging behaviorFunctional assessmentDefinitionRationale