The document outlines rules for analyzing functional analysis (FA) data to determine if behavior is maintained by social reinforcement (attention, tangible) or automatic reinforcement. It provides criteria for identifying upward or downward trends, differentiated versus undifferentiated conditions, and whether a function is automatic or multiply maintained. Key factors include comparing rates of responding across conditions, whether later data points meet certain thresholds, and if more than one condition meets criteria for being differentiated.

1. Rules for Trends
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

2. Rules for Trends
Divide the number of data points above
the upper CL in the second half of the
assessment by the total number of data
points above the upper CL and multiply
by 100.
a. Upward Trend: result is greater than 50%
and the last data point is above the
upper CL
i. Condition is differentiated
b. Downward Trend: result is less than 40%
i. Condition is not differentiated
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

3. Rules for Trends
Divide the number of data points above
the upper CL in the second half of the
assessment by the total number of data
points above the upper CL and multiply
by 100.
a. Upward Trend: result is greater than 50%
and the last data point is above the
upper CL
i. Condition is differentiated
b. Downward Trend: result is less than 40%
i. Condition is not differentiated
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

4. Rules for Trends
Divide the number of data points above
the upper CL in the second half of the
assessment by the total number of data
points above the upper CL and multiply
by 100.
a. Upward Trend: result is greater than 50%
and the last data point is above the
upper CL
i. Condition is differentiated
b. Downward Trend: result is less than 40%
i. Condition is not differentiated
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

5. Rules for Trends
Divide the number of data points above
the upper CL in the second half of the
assessment by the total number of data
points above the upper CL and multiply
by 100.
a. Upward Trend: result is greater than 50%
and the last data point is above the
upper CL
i. Condition is differentiated
b. Downward Trend: result is less than 40%
i. Condition is not differentiated
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

6. Rules for Trends
Divide the number of data points above
the upper CL in the second half of the
assessment by the total number of data
points above the upper CL and multiply
by 100.
a. Upward Trend: result is greater than 50%
and the last data point is above the
upper CL
i. Condition is differentiated
b. Downward Trend: result is less than 40%
i. Condition is not differentiated
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

7. Rules for Trends
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

8. Rules for Trends
If there is a downward trend in tangible
and/or demand conditions, check for
efficient rates of responding
1. Divide 60 by the number of seconds an
item (tangible condition) or break
(demand condition) is delivered.
2. If the average rate of responding in the
second half of the FA is at or above the
above calculated number, the condition
is differentiated
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

9. Rules for Trends
If there is a downward trend in tangible
and/or demand conditions, check for
efficient rates of responding
1. Divide 60 by the number of seconds an
item (tangible condition) or break
(demand condition) is delivered.
2. If the average rate of responding in the
second half of the FA is at or above the
above calculated number, the condition
is differentiated
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

10. Rules for Trends
If there is a downward trend in tangible
and/or demand conditions, check for
efficient rates of responding
1. Divide 60 by the number of seconds an
item (tangible condition) or break
(demand condition) is delivered.
2. If the average rate of responding in the
second half of the FA is at or above the
above calculated number, the condition
is differentiated
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

11. Rules for Trends
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

12. Rules for Trends
Overall trends
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

13. Rules for Trends
Overall trends
• If there is a trend in the play condition and
other conditions, any condition
consistently higher than the play condition
is differentiated
Downward
Upward
undifferentiated

14. Rules for Low-Rate Behavior

15. Rules for Low-Rate Behavior
• Low-Rate Behavior (i.e., most data points are at near-zero levels)

16. Rules for Low-Rate Behavior
• Low-Rate Behavior (i.e., most data points are at near-zero levels)
1. Divide the number of sessions above a response rate of 1.5 for a condition
by the number of sessions above a response rate of 1.5 across all conditions
and multiply by 100.

17. Rules for Low-Rate Behavior
• Low-Rate Behavior (i.e., most data points are at near-zero levels)
1. Divide the number of sessions above a response rate of 1.5 for a condition
by the number of sessions above a response rate of 1.5 across all conditions
and multiply by 100.
2. Divide the number of high rate behaviors for a condition by the total
number of high rate behaviors across all conditions and multiply by 100

18. Rules for Low-Rate Behavior
• Low-Rate Behavior (i.e., most data points are at near-zero levels)
1. Divide the number of sessions above a response rate of 1.5 for a condition
by the number of sessions above a response rate of 1.5 across all conditions
and multiply by 100.
2. Divide the number of high rate behaviors for a condition by the total
number of high rate behaviors across all conditions and multiply by 100
3. The condition is differentiated if both of the following are true:
a. The results for the above calculations are both 50% or above

19. Rules for Low-Rate Behavior
• Low-Rate Behavior (i.e., most data points are at near-zero levels)
1. Divide the number of sessions above a response rate of 1.5 for a condition
by the number of sessions above a response rate of 1.5 across all conditions
and multiply by 100.
2. Divide the number of high rate behaviors for a condition by the total
number of high rate behaviors across all conditions and multiply by 100
3. The condition is differentiated if both of the following are true:
a. The results for the above calculations are both 50% or above
b. At least one high rate session occurred in the second half of the FA

20. Rules for Low Magnitude of Effects

21. Rules for Low Magnitude of Effects
• Low Magnitude of Effects

22. Rules for Low Magnitude of Effects
• Low Magnitude of Effects
1. If 10% of points are above the upper CL by only a small amount (e.g., within
1 standard deviation) for differentiated conditions, do the following:

23. Rules for Low Magnitude of Effects
• Low Magnitude of Effects
1. If 10% of points are above the upper CL by only a small amount (e.g., within
1 standard deviation) for differentiated conditions, do the following:
a. Apply criteria for upward trend if 50% of these points are in the second half of the FA

24. Rules for Low Magnitude of Effects
• Low Magnitude of Effects
1. If 10% of points are above the upper CL by only a small amount (e.g., within
1 standard deviation) for differentiated conditions, do the following:
a. Apply criteria for upward trend if 50% of these points are in the second half of the FA
b. Otherwise, raise the upper CL by 20% and reanalyze the condition

25. Rules for Automatic Reinforcement Automatic
Multiply maintained

26. Rules for Automatic Reinforcement
1. Calculate the mean of each condition
2. Score FA as automatic if any of the following
are true:
a. Alone/ignore is the highest condition and higher
than play
b. Rates of behavior are higher in alone/ignore,
attention and/or tangible
c. All conditions are high and relatively stable with
no overall trends
3. If any of the above do not apply, the function
cannot be automatic, and the behavior may
be multiply maintained
Automatic
Multiply maintained

27. Rules for Automatic Reinforcement
1. Calculate the mean of each condition
2. Score FA as automatic if any of the following
are true:
a. Alone/ignore is the highest condition and higher
than play
b. Rates of behavior are higher in alone/ignore,
attention and/or tangible
c. All conditions are high and relatively stable with
no overall trends
3. If any of the above do not apply, the function
cannot be automatic, and the behavior may
be multiply maintained
Automatic
Multiply maintained

28. Rules for Automatic Reinforcement
1. Calculate the mean of each condition
2. Score FA as automatic if any of the following
are true:
a. Alone/ignore is the highest condition and higher
than play
b. Rates of behavior are higher in alone/ignore,
attention and/or tangible
c. All conditions are high and relatively stable with
no overall trends
3. If any of the above do not apply, the function
cannot be automatic, and the behavior may
be multiply maintained
Automatic
Multiply maintained

29. Rules for Automatic Reinforcement
1. Calculate the mean of each condition
2. Score FA as automatic if any of the following
are true:
a. Alone/ignore is the highest condition and higher
than play
b. Rates of behavior are higher in alone/ignore,
attention and/or tangible
c. All conditions are high and relatively stable with
no overall trends
3. If any of the above do not apply, the function
cannot be automatic, and the behavior may
be multiply maintained
Automatic
Multiply maintained

30. Rules for Automatic Reinforcement
1. Calculate the mean of each condition
2. Score FA as automatic if any of the following
are true:
a. Alone/ignore is the highest condition and higher
than play
b. Rates of behavior are higher in alone/ignore,
attention and/or tangible
c. All conditions are high and relatively stable with
no overall trends
3. If any of the above do not apply, the function
cannot be automatic, and the behavior may
be multiply maintained
Automatic
Multiply maintained

31. Rules for Automatic Reinforcement
1. Calculate the mean of each condition
2. Score FA as automatic if any of the following
are true:
a. Alone/ignore is the highest condition and higher
than play
b. Rates of behavior are higher in alone/ignore,
attention and/or tangible
c. All conditions are high and relatively stable with
no overall trends
3. If any of the above do not apply, the function
cannot be automatic, and the behavior may
be multiply maintained
Automatic
Multiply maintained

32. Rules for Multiple Maintaining Variables

33. Rules for Multiple Maintaining Variables
• If more than one condition meets criteria for differentiation, score the FA is
multiply maintained
• If one of the differentiated conditions is alone/ignore
1. Score FA as automatic if highest condition is alone/ignore (previously stated in
rules for Automatic Reinforcement)
i. E.g., if Ignore, Attention & Tangible are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is higher
than Attention & Tangible, the function would be Automatic.
2. If 3 or more test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of
the conditions but not the highest, score as differentiated by all test conditions
instead of automatic.
i. E.g., Ignore, Tangible & Demand are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is lower than
Tangible & Demand, the function would be Tangible & Escape.
3. If 2 test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of the
conditions but not the highest, score as automatic and the other condition.
i. E.g., Demand & Ignore are differentiated, and the level of Ignore is lower than Demand,
the function would be Escape & Automatic.

34. Rules for Multiple Maintaining Variables
• If more than one condition meets criteria for differentiation, score the FA is
multiply maintained
• If one of the differentiated conditions is alone/ignore
1. Score FA as automatic if highest condition is alone/ignore (previously stated in
rules for Automatic Reinforcement)
i. E.g., if Ignore, Attention & Tangible are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is higher
than Attention & Tangible, the function would be Automatic.
2. If 3 or more test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of
the conditions but not the highest, score as differentiated by all test conditions
instead of automatic.
i. E.g., Ignore, Tangible & Demand are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is lower than
Tangible & Demand, the function would be Tangible & Escape.
3. If 2 test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of the
conditions but not the highest, score as automatic and the other condition.
i. E.g., Demand & Ignore are differentiated, and the level of Ignore is lower than Demand,
the function would be Escape & Automatic.

35. Rules for Multiple Maintaining Variables
• If more than one condition meets criteria for differentiation, score the FA is
multiply maintained
• If one of the differentiated conditions is alone/ignore
1. Score FA as automatic if highest condition is alone/ignore (previously stated in
rules for Automatic Reinforcement)
i. E.g., if Ignore, Attention & Tangible are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is higher
than Attention & Tangible, the function would be Automatic.
2. If 3 or more test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of
the conditions but not the highest, score as differentiated by all test conditions
instead of automatic.
i. E.g., Ignore, Tangible & Demand are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is lower than
Tangible & Demand, the function would be Tangible & Escape.
3. If 2 test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of the
conditions but not the highest, score as automatic and the other condition.
i. E.g., Demand & Ignore are differentiated, and the level of Ignore is lower than Demand,
the function would be Escape & Automatic.

36. Rules for Multiple Maintaining Variables
• If more than one condition meets criteria for differentiation, score the FA is
multiply maintained
• If one of the differentiated conditions is alone/ignore
1. Score FA as automatic if highest condition is alone/ignore (previously stated in
rules for Automatic Reinforcement)
i. E.g., if Ignore, Attention & Tangible are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is higher
than Attention & Tangible, the function would be Automatic.
2. If 3 or more test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of
the conditions but not the highest, score as differentiated by all test conditions
instead of automatic.
i. E.g., Ignore, Tangible & Demand are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is lower than
Tangible & Demand, the function would be Tangible & Escape.
3. If 2 test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of the
conditions but not the highest, score as automatic and the other condition.
i. E.g., Demand & Ignore are differentiated, and the level of Ignore is lower than Demand,
the function would be Escape & Automatic.

37. Rules for Multiple Maintaining Variables
• If more than one condition meets criteria for differentiation, score the FA is
multiply maintained
• If one of the differentiated conditions is alone/ignore
1. Score FA as automatic if highest condition is alone/ignore (previously stated in
rules for Automatic Reinforcement)
i. E.g., if Ignore, Attention & Tangible are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is higher
than Attention & Tangible, the function would be Automatic.
2. If 3 or more test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of
the conditions but not the highest, score as differentiated by all test conditions
instead of automatic.
i. E.g., Ignore, Tangible & Demand are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is lower than
Tangible & Demand, the function would be Tangible & Escape.
3. If 2 test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of the
conditions but not the highest, score as automatic and the other condition.
i. E.g., Demand & Ignore are differentiated, and the level of Ignore is lower than Demand,
the function would be Escape & Automatic.

38. Rules for Multiple Maintaining Variables
• If more than one condition meets criteria for differentiation, score the FA is
multiply maintained
• If one of the differentiated conditions is alone/ignore
1. Score FA as automatic if highest condition is alone/ignore (previously stated in
rules for Automatic Reinforcement)
i. E.g., if Ignore, Attention & Tangible are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is higher
than Attention & Tangible, the function would be Automatic.
2. If 3 or more test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of
the conditions but not the highest, score as differentiated by all test conditions
instead of automatic.
i. E.g., Ignore, Tangible & Demand are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is lower than
Tangible & Demand, the function would be Tangible & Escape.
3. If 2 test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of the
conditions but not the highest, score as automatic and the other condition.
i. E.g., Demand & Ignore are differentiated, and the level of Ignore is lower than Demand,
the function would be Escape & Automatic.

39. Rules for Multiple Maintaining Variables
• If more than one condition meets criteria for differentiation, score the FA is
multiply maintained
• If one of the differentiated conditions is alone/ignore
1. Score FA as automatic if highest condition is alone/ignore (previously stated in
rules for Automatic Reinforcement)
i. E.g., if Ignore, Attention & Tangible are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is higher
than Attention & Tangible, the function would be Automatic.
2. If 3 or more test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of
the conditions but not the highest, score as differentiated by all test conditions
instead of automatic.
i. E.g., Ignore, Tangible & Demand are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is lower than
Tangible & Demand, the function would be Tangible & Escape.
3. If 2 test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of the
conditions but not the highest, score as automatic and the other condition.
i. E.g., Demand & Ignore are differentiated, and the level of Ignore is lower than Demand,
the function would be Escape & Automatic.

40. Rules for Multiple Maintaining Variables
• If more than one condition meets criteria for differentiation, score the FA is
multiply maintained
• If one of the differentiated conditions is alone/ignore
1. Score FA as automatic if highest condition is alone/ignore (previously stated in
rules for Automatic Reinforcement)
i. E.g., if Ignore, Attention & Tangible are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is higher
than Attention & Tangible, the function would be Automatic.
2. If 3 or more test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of
the conditions but not the highest, score as differentiated by all test conditions
instead of automatic.
i. E.g., Ignore, Tangible & Demand are all differentiated, but the level of Ignore is lower than
Tangible & Demand, the function would be Tangible & Escape.
3. If 2 test conditions are differentiated from play and alone/ignore is one of the
conditions but not the highest, score as automatic and the other condition.
i. E.g., Demand & Ignore are differentiated, and the level of Ignore is lower than Demand,
the function would be Escape & Automatic.