Use of a Functional Behavior Assessment to Address Tantrum Behavior with a Preschooler with Developmental Delays

Abstract

The purpose of the present case report was to conduct a functional behavioral
assessment to assess the tantrum and non-compliant behaviors of a preschool child diagnosed
with developmental delays. The FBA determined that the participant was tangible maintained
and escape maintained, therefore two different interventions were implemented to address each
function by teaching a more appropriate alternate behavior. The results of this study show that
the combination of the communication board along with guided practice was an effective method
to teach appropriate sharing behaviors and simultaneously decrease the inappropriate
tantruming behaviors of a preschooler with developmental delays. In regard to the participant’s
escape maintained tantrum behavior, this study showed that the use of a transition object was
more effective at decreasing the participant’s tantrum behavior then a functional communication
training and choice intervention. Strong experimental control was demonstrated for both
components of the study under the reversal conditions when the participant’s tantrum behavior
rose to a similar percentage as displayed during baseline due to the intervention procedures not
being implemented. Suggestions for practitioners were made.