Behavioral Classification System for Problem Behaviors in Schools

This book presents a unique pioneering classification system, written by the author of a bestselling textbook on functional behavioral assessment (FBA), for school psychologists and other personnel who conduct FBAs for problem behaviors. The Cipani Behavioral Classification System (BCS) is a pioneering function-based classification system for categorizing problem target behaviors in education and mental health settings. The Cipani BCS is theoretically sound as it is procured from the four major functions of operant behavior: Socially Mediated Access (SMA), Direct Access (DA), Socially Mediated Escape (SME), and Direct Escape (DE). Hence, such is content-valid given the extensive and longitudinal history of work and research in behavior analysis experimentally demonstrating functional relationships between behavior and its environmental outcome. From these four major categories of behavioral function, the Cipani BCS derives 13 subcategories or specific functions under these primary generic functions. For each function, there is a general description, explanation, and illustrative examples of the category. Also included are practice case illustrations to facilitate understanding of how to diagnose the function and its category. Using this system, assessment activities are more expertly guided by a cognizance of a number of potential diverse functions, and assessment becomes an iterative process. The delineation of a diagnostic phase as an outcome of assessment activities, until now, has not been cogently presented in other FBA materials.