Advances in the indirect, descriptive, and experimental approaches to the functional analysis of problem behavior.

BACKGROUND Experimental functional analysis is an assessment methodology to identify the environmental factors that maintain problem behavior in individuals with developmental disabilities and in other populations. Functional analysis provides the basis for the development of reinforcement-based approaches to treatment. METHODS This article reviews the procedures, validity, and clinical implementation of the methodological variations of functional analysis and function-based interventions. RESULTS We present six variations of functional analysis methodology in addition to the typical functional analysis: brief functional analysis, single-function tests, latency-based functional analysis, functional analysis of precursors, and trial-based functional analysis. We also present the three general categories of function-based interventions: extinction, antecedent manipulation, and differential reinforcement. CONCLUSIONS Functional analysis methodology is a valid and efficient approach to the assessment of problem behavior and the selection of treatment strategies.