Featuring a highly interactive approach, this text is noted for its exceptionally clear and thorough coverage of how to conduct a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) through various assessment methods, how to diagnose the function of problem behaviors, and how to select a behavioral intervention that addresses the diagnosed function. The development of requisite behavior-analytic skills is aided by utilizing many real-life and hypothetical cases that represent common scenarios in applied settings.

Highlights include:

• Interactive approach, icons in the text alert readers to review related narrated online lectures highlighting FBAs and treatments and complete assignments embedded in text.
• Numerous cases, many based on the author's clinical experiences in working with children and adults in educational and mental health settings, provide a realistic look at applied behavior analysis.
• Forms, interview protocols, and intervention plans illustrate the process of creating behavior plans from collected assessment data.
• A pioneering classification system for categorizing the function of problem behavior (Cipani BCS).
• Cases that model the process of assessment, classification, and treatment used in an FBA allow readers to role-play and develop presentation and classification skills.

New to this edition:

• Chapter objectives and BACB Tasks that match the content to be covered with objectives from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) task list help readers master some of the skills required of behavior analysts.
• Assignments and discussion items with associated narrated PowerPoint lectures to further engage readers.
• Simulation Exercises to actively involve readers in collecting data, conducting an assessment, demonstrating the use of a function, or observing how to shape an alternate behavior.
• Self-Assessment exercises to help readers test their understanding of the content.
• The Cipani EO School Behavioral Interview Rating System to help in conducting interviews.
• The Cipani Replacement Function Classification System for determining the strength of replacement behaviors.
• Online instructor's resources including test items tied to the chapter objectives, chapter PowerPoints with assignments, a course syllabus builder, and What to Read if You Used the Second Edition (Conversion Guide).
• Online student resources including narrated PowerPoints and video lectures.

An ideal text for courses in (applied) behavior analysis, behavioral or emotional assessment or management, child psychopathology, or developmental disabilities taught in school psychology, special education, behavior analysis, psychology, or social work; anyone who assesses and treats patients with challenging behaviors will also appreciate this book.

This diagnostic manual provides a uniform and unique function-based classification system for categorizing problem behaviors in schools. Written by the author of the bestselling textbook on functional behavioral assessment (FBA), the Cipani Behavioral Classification System (BCS) contained in this manual provides an invaluable alternative to the idiosyncratic descriptions of problem behavior functions currently employed in FBA reports. Instead, it provides the reader with a standardized classification system for selecting the hypothesized function of problem behaviors. For each of 13 distinct functions in the Cipani BCS, there is a general description, explanation, and illustrative example of the category.

Behavioral Classification System for Problem Behaviors in Schools contains:

• A comprehensive delineation of the 13 categories in the Cipani Behavioral Classification System (BCS) for classifying the function of problem behaviors in schools, providing a standardized mechanism for diagnosing the function of problem behavior for FBAs
• A straightforward path from diagnostic category to the selection of effective functional treatments
• Practice cases to facilitate user's understanding of how to diagnose the function and its respective classification category
• Examples of validation test procedures for specific functions along with hypothetical data
• Sample written material for FBA reports and individual education plans (IEPs) that serve as models for readers when doing similar exercises
• A model for writing FBAs in a more precise way with respect to the motivational condition driving the function
• Instructor's resources including test material, PowerPoint Slides, and a student certificate of competence are available to qualified adopters

Ideal as a supplement in school psychology and special education courses, school psychologists and other personnel who conduct FBAs will also appreciate this book's unique classification system, especially when conducting assessment activities and report writing.

This text offers a fresh perspective on developing research skills for educators as well as for students studying to become educators. Practical Research Methods for Educators is unique in identifying the requirements for conducting pragmatic research for everyday instructional personnel.

The book introduces key concepts, such as identifying and measuring dependent and independent variables. It also reviews the three forms of research (descriptive, correlation, and experimental). With this book, educators and students can become well prepared to appropriately conduct research and become wise consumers and critics of research findings.

Each chapter presents a brief description of a research design, figures illustrating the design features with hypothetical data, and real research studies that utilized such a design. Each type of single-case design is discussed in relation to its advantages and limitations.

Key features:

• Outlines the requisites for single-case research and methodological designs
• Explains how to measure the dependent variable in single-case research studies
• Presents a variety of single-case designs for use in classroom research projects
• Includes an in-depth explanation of the four types of applied research: demonstration, comparative, parametric, and component analysis

Both parents and professionals who work with young children with autism should read this book. --Temple Grandin, author, Thinking in Pictures (From the Foreword)

To Miss Molly, before you started with an ABA program, we couldn't sing to you, we couldn't talk too loud, or even play music. Now you are in the drama club, dance classes, and on stage singing at the school talent show!!! I'm so proud of you. --Mother of Molly Martin, featured in Chapter 4

Triumphs in Early Autism Treatment offers a wealth of insight and hope to both parents and clinicians. This book documents the latest research that shows that children who receive Applied Behavioral Analysis treatment consistently progress in skill development.

This groundbreaking treatment has allowed numerous children to reach the best outcome status, a level of normal intellectual and educational functioning. In essence, they become indistinguishable from their peers in everyday life. A must-read for parents and clinicians, this book is the first to document best outcome case studies using exclusively ABA treatment.

• First-hand accounts of the intellectual and behavioral progress of seven autistic children, written in a narrative style by the ABA professionals who conducted the consultations
• Contributors include Audrey Gifford, who is both a professional Behavioral Analyst and a parent of an autistic child who received ABA treatment
• Overview of autism research prior to ABA and an introduction to the development of the method
• Analysis of ABA treatment demonstrating why ABA is the most effective of all treatment methods