FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment)
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An FBA is a process for figuring out why a behavior happens, by studying when it occurs, what triggers it and what it gets or avoids for the student.
Topic: Behavior and FBA/BIP
In plain terms
An FBA gathers information from interviews, records, rating scales and direct observation, including ABC data. It defines the behavior clearly, identifies patterns, and ends with a hypothesis about the behavior's function, such as escaping a hard task or getting attention. The goal is to understand the behavior, not to label the student.
How it shows up in an IEP
An FBA leads to a behavior intervention plan and to goals for replacement behaviors that meet the same need. IDEA requires an FBA in certain discipline situations, such as after a manifestation finding, and teams can do one whenever behavior gets in the way of learning.
Example
An FBA finds that a student pushes materials off the desk mainly during long writing tasks, and that the task then gets removed. The hypothesis is escape from writing.
The rule
Federal reference: 34 CFR §300.530(d), 34 CFR §300.530(f).
Rules vary by state. Check your state's regulations and your district's procedures.
Related terms
- BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan)A BIP is a written plan, based on an FBA, that describes how staff will prevent a behavior, teach a replacement skill and respond when the behavior happens.
- Function of behaviorThe function of a behavior is the purpose it serves for the student, usually to get something or to escape or avoid something.
- ABC dataABC data is a record of what happened just before a behavior (antecedent), the behavior itself, and what happened right after (consequence).
- Operational definitionAn operational definition describes a behavior in observable, measurable terms, so different people would agree on whether it happened.
- Replacement behaviorA replacement behavior is an appropriate skill taught to meet the same need as a problem behavior, so the student no longer needs the problem behavior.
On IEP Atlas
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