APPENDIX 7.

1 FBA Checklist for Repetitive Behaviors

Challenging Behavior: Repetitive Behaviors

1. Language Comprehension Difficulties
❒❒ 1a: The student engages in repetitive behavior when expected to comply with written directions or complex verbal direc-
tions but does not when the directions are either explained using simplified language or modeled.
❒❒ 1b: The student engages in repetitive behavior when expected to comply with verbal directions or listen to lengthy lectures
but does not when given written directions or when given material to read to learn new information.

2. Deficits in Expressive Communication Skills

❒❒ The student engages in repetitive behavior if he or is unable to verbally express wants and needs.

3. Anxiety, Fear, and Emotional Regulation Difficulties

❒❒ 3a: The student does not demonstrate repetitive behaviors when the student is comfortable with the routine or activity
but does so during certain situations that cause anxiety and fear.
❒❒ 3b: The student does not demonstrate repetitive behaviors when the teacher is in close proximity but does when the
teacher is not nearby.
❒❒ 3c: The student demonstrates repetitive behaviors when emotionally distressed.

4. Social Skills Deficits

❒❒ 4a: The student engages in repetitive behaviors during periods of social disengagement; however, the student does not
demonstrate these behaviors when joint attention is established.
❒❒ 4b: The student engages in repetitive behavior when activities require social reciprocity skills that are not part of the
student’s repertoire.
❒❒ 4c: The student engages in repetitive behavior when activities require the use of specific social skills that the student has
not yet learned.

5. Sensory Processing Problems

❒❒ 5a: The student engages in repetitive behavior when activities require the use of certain materials with specific textures or
odors.
❒❒ 5b: The student engages in repetitive behavior when environments are loud, bright, cluttered, and so forth but does not in
environments that have minimal sensory input.
❒❒ 5c: The student engages in repetitive behavior when prevented from gaining access to needed sensory input.

6. Problems With Focus and Attention

❒❒ Repetitive behaviors do not occur when the student is focused and actively engaged during a learning activity; however,
the behaviors do occur when the student loses focus and attention,.

7. Executive Functioning Challenges

❒❒ The student does not demonstrate repetitive behaviors when learning tasks are simple but does when the tasks require
multiple steps, organization, and time management.

8. Academic, Cognitive, or Motor Skills Deficits

❒❒ 8a: The student does not demonstrate repetitive behaviors during concrete learning activities but does during learning
activities involving abstract thoughts and ideas.
❒❒ 8b: The student does not demonstrate repetitive behaviors when the learning activities are developmentally appropriate
or easy for the student but does when the activities are too difficult for the student based on present levels of academic
performance.
❒❒ 8c: The student demonstrates repetitive behavior when activities require the use of fine motor skills.
❒❒ 8d: The student demonstrates repetitive behavior when activities require the use of gross motor skills.

Behavior Support for Students With ASD: Practical Help for 10 Common Challenges by Debra Leach.
Copyright © 2018 by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved. (page 1 of 2)
APPENDIX 7.1 FBA Checklist for Repetitive Behaviors

Challenging Behavior: Repetitive Behaviors (continued)

9. Restricted Range of Interests

❒❒ The student does not engage in repetitive behavior when activities are related to the student’s interests but does during
non–interest-based activities.

10. Medical Conditions

❒❒ 10a: The student engages in repetitive behavior if required to sit, but these behaviors decrease when permitted to stand
(may have gastrointestinal pain).
❒❒ 10b: The student engages in repetitive behavior when the student goes untreated for illness or pain due to the inability to
expressively communicate symptoms.
❒❒ 10c: The student engages in repetitive behavior following nights of limited sleep.
❒❒ 10d: The student engages in repetitive behavior due to reactions to new medications or reactions to changes in doses of
medications.
❒❒ 10e: The student engages in repetitive behavior following periods of seizure activity.

Other_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hypothesis Statement _________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Behavior Support for Students With ASD: Practical Help for 10 Common Challenges by Debra Leach.
(page 2 of 2) Copyright © 2018 by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.