Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

Why should I do it:

Provides more information about students’ behavior
Helps identify factors regarding behaviors that may not be obvious
Provides data trends and patterns
FBA can be simple or intensive
Helps identify the root causes, functions, and reinforcers of behaviors
Provides data for developing an appropriate and effective behavior plan

When should I do it:

When a student is not responding to interventions
When it is unclear as to why the behavior is occurring
When a student’s behaviors require a behavior plan
When antecedents and/or reinforcers cannot be readily identified
When a student is suspended multiple times or has a high number of office discipline referrals
When a student is getting into trouble frequently
When a pattern of trend seems to be forming
When a student seems to engage in the same behavior regardless of consequence
When consequences and/or rewards seem ineffective
When a student does not appear to care or be affected by attempts to address the behavior

How do I do it:

Begin with a Simple Functional Behavior Assessment (SFBA) by downloading and completing the SFBA form below
If the SFBA does not yield enough data and insight to determine the function of behavior, download and complete the Intensive Functional Behavior Assessment form available below (IFBA)
When completing the FBA forms, gather information and data from the student’s records, parents, teachers, and any other staff that work with the student
Once you have completed the FBA form and have a theory as to the function of the behavior, develop a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) based on the data and results from the FBA

Resources & Support for technique: