Function-Based Self-Advocacy Training for Students With or at Risk for Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in General Education Settings

This study evaluated the effects of a function-based self-advocacy (FBSA) intervention, which provided systematic and explicit instruction to three students with or at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders on how to self-advocate their needs in regard to behavioral support based on the function of their behavior. We used a single-case, multiple-probe across-participants design and measured participants’ problem behaviors and replacement behaviors to determine the intervention effects. Results showed a functional relationship between FBSA and reduction of problem behaviors. There also was an increase in replacement behaviors upon implementation of the FBSA training. In addition, a descriptive analysis of students’ ability to complete steps to self-advocate needs indicated an increase in the number of responses emitted or steps completed across both intervention and generalization settings.