The Questions About Behavioral Function (QABF): current status as a method of functional assessment

Johnny L. Matson, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA. johnmatson@aol.com
Kimberly Tureck
Robert Rieske

Abstract

Functional assessment has now entered the mainstream for evaluation and to aid in the treatment of challenging behaviors, while experimental functional analysis was at the forefront of this movement, this particular methodology has proven to be impractical, and thus has limited utility in real world settings. As a result of these factors standardized test have become a popular alternative for making a functional assessment. The most extensively studied of these scales to date is the Questions About Behavioral Function (QABF). This paper reviews the available research on this scale, its current status, and future directions.