What does a functional assessment in communication disorders aim to achieve?

A functional assessment in communication disorders primarily seeks to analyze the context of a behavior to understand its purpose. This means investigating the conditions under which certain communication behaviors occur, identifying triggers, and determining the functions that these behaviors serve. For example, a child may use specific gestures or vocalizations to get attention, express needs, or avoid a situation. By understanding the motivations behind these behaviors, clinicians can develop tailored interventions that address the root causes rather than merely the symptoms.

While other answer choices might relate to aspects of assessment, they do not capture the essence of what a functional assessment is designed to achieve. Determining the best intervention strategy is a subsequent step that relies on the insights gained from the functional assessment. A general overview of communication skills or assessing cognitive abilities are broader assessments that do not specifically focus on understanding the behavior within its context, which is the core aim of a functional assessment.