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Function of behavior

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The function of a behavior is the purpose it serves for the student, usually to get something or to escape or avoid something.

Topic: Behavior and FBA/BIP

In plain terms

Most behavior is communication. Common functions are getting attention, getting an item or activity, escaping a task or situation, and sensory reasons, where the behavior itself feels good or relieves discomfort. The same behavior can serve different functions for different students, and one student's behavior can serve more than one.

How it shows up in an IEP

Knowing the function guides the plan: a student who yells to escape a task needs a different response than one who yells for attention. The replacement behavior in the goal should meet the same function in a more effective way.

Example

Two students both leave their seats. For one, it gets peer attention; for the other, it delays a hard reading task. Their goals differ: asking a peer to work together versus asking for help or a break.

Related terms

  • FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment)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.
  • ABC dataABC data is a record of what happened just before a behavior (antecedent), the behavior itself, and what happened right after (consequence).
  • 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.
  • Functional communication trainingFunctional communication training teaches a student a simple, effective way to communicate a need that is currently met through problem behavior.
  • AntecedentAn antecedent is what happens right before a behavior, such as a direction, a transition or a hard task, that can trigger it.

On IEP Atlas

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