What is Functional Analysis?

The basic tenet of Functional Analysis is that behaviour, however challenging, is a communication about something. It fulfils a ‘function’ or solves a problem for the child or young person (or even adult). Difficulties arise when the ‘solution’ (or behaviour) the child uses causes other problems for them or those that care for them.

Using Functional Analysis, we work to discover what the child is trying to communicate with the difficult to manage behaviour and help them find more helpful ways of communicating their needs or fulfilling the function of the difficult behaviour.

For example, a child who finds crowds difficult to manage may find that kicking, shouting and hitting out when in a crowd results in them being removed from the crowd. They learn, therefore, that kicking, shouting and hitting out leads to time in non-busy, quiet places which they prefer. Over time, this becomes their common reaction to the suggestion of visiting a place where crowds are possible. This would lead to a very restricted life for the child and their family as well as concerns about safety and emotional stress. In this situation, the function of the behaviour is to gain removal from stressful crowded environments.

We would then work together to develop the child’s coping strategies for crowds as well as finding alternative, easier to manage, ways for them to communicate their wish to leave a situation.