Understanding the Functions of Behavior

The Understanding the Functions of Behavior resource is a clear and approachable guide to help behavior specialists, educators, and families identify the reasons behind challenging behaviors. It breaks down the four functions of behavior—Attention, Access, Escape, and Sensory—providing practical clues to easily determine the reason behind a behavior.

This resource is also an excellent teaching tool, demonstrating how one behavior can occur for multiple reasons and empowering teams to make informed, evidence-based decisions. For best results, pair this guide with our Strategies Organized by Function resource to select interventions tailored to your learner’s specific needs.

Why Download This Resource?

• Gain practical tools to identify the function of challenging behaviors with clear, actionable clues.
• Teach others about the four functions of behavior and how behaviors can serve multiple purposes.
• Improve intervention planning by understanding the root cause of behaviors.

What You’ll Get:

• Descriptions of the four functions of behavior (Attention, Access, Escape, and Sensory) with real-life examples.
• Clues to help identify the function of a behavior quickly and effectively.
• Guidance on how to use function-based thinking to develop meaningful and effective behavior strategies.

Download this free resource today to enhance your understanding of behavior functions and create impactful behavior interventions!