Crisis interventions should primarily be based on what aspect of behavior?

The focus of crisis interventions should primarily be on the function of the behavior. Understanding the function refers to determining the underlying reasons or motivations for a specific behavior, such as whether it serves to gain attention, escape an aversive situation, or fulfill a sensory need. By identifying the function, practitioners can design interventions that are more effective and tailored to address the specific needs of the individual, providing strategies that will be more likely to reduce the occurrence of the crisis behavior in the future.

Interventions based on the function can lead to more constructive outcomes, as they promote positive behavior change rather than just addressing the surface-level manifestations of the behavior. Thus, engaging with the behavior's function helps practitioners develop proactive strategies that can mitigate crises before they escalate.

In contrast, focusing merely on the form, description, or topography of the behavior does not provide the same depth of understanding necessary for effective intervention. While these aspects may describe what the behavior looks like or how it occurs, they lack the insight needed to effectively address the reasons behind the behavior, limiting the overall effectiveness of crisis interventions.