Examining the operant function of challenging behavior in young males with fragile X syndrome: A summary of 12 cases

Functional analysis and treatment of problem behavior exhibited by children with fragile X syndrome

“…Our functional analysis findings are consistent with those of previous FXS studies Machalicek et al, 2014), in that two-thirds of our participants had problem behavior that was maintained by escape from demands and/ or access to tangible items. Through the characterization of patterns in behavioral function, the aggregated functional analysis outcomes from the three studies offer a unique contribution to the FXS behavioral phenotype.…”

“…Problem behavior was maintained by escape and/or access to tangible items for all participants; none exhibited problem behavior maintained by access to attention. Machalicek et al (2014) replicated these procedures and findings-reporting outcomes of functional analyses with 12 young boys with FXS. Eight participants exhibited problem behavior maintained by escape from demands and/or escape from social interaction, nine children exhibited tangible-maintained problem behavior, and only three displayed attention-maintained problem behavior.…”

“…_ 9 ) T D $ F I G ] systematic direct observation of operationally defined behavioral targets. This is particularly important given that many studies report the range of behavior problems in FXS only via parent report surveys or indirect measures (Symons et al, 2003;Langthorne and McGill, 2012), and there is a lack of correspondence between results of indirect functional assessments and FAs Machalicek et al, 2014).…”

Uncovering the evidence for behavioral interventions with individuals with fragile X syndrome: A systematic review

“…In addition, children with FXS showed higher rates of problem behavior during social demand situations than non-social situations (Hall, DeBernardis, & Reiss, 2006a), demonstrating that their behavior is responsive to changes in the social environment. Further, across two studies that conducted functional analyses of problem behavior in children with FXS, the majority of children with FXS exhibited problem behavior that functioned to escape demands or access tangibles, with fewer showing social-escape behavior or attention-maintained problem behavior (Langthorne et al, 2011;Machalicek et al, 2014). Although biological factors play a role in FXS, these studies demonstrate that the behavior of individuals with FXS can also be influenced by the environment and often serves an operant function.…”

“…After all, in the area of problem behavior for individuals with DD, we know interventions based on a functional behavior assessment are about twice as likely to succeed as those that are not based on function (e.g., Carr et al, 1999). For example, although functional assessment studies show heightened probability of tangibly-and escape-maintained challenging behavior in individuals with FXS (Langthorne et al, 2011;Machalicek et al, 2014), problem behavior may still be maintained by attention from parents or teachers (Hall, Oliver, & Murphy, 2001; Studies 5 and 6). Clearly it is still important to conduct an individualized assessment and develop an individualized intervention plan for each person.…”