Mental and Behavioral Health

What is a functional behavioral assessment (FBA)? 

from: Colorado Department of Education - Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)

"A functional behavioral assessment (FBA) can be a helpful tool as you work through the process of gathering information about behaviors of concern, whether the behaviors are academic, social or emotional....

FBAs are appropriate for use at all three tiers of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), but are often used in Tier 3 with students requiring individualized behavioral support....FBAs have also been shown to be an effective with a broad range of populations and in a variety of educational settings.

FBAs are rooted in the theory that behavior is functional (meaning it has a purpose), predictable and changeable1. Understanding the function or purpose underlying a student’s behavior can help a school team develop a plan to teach the child more appropriate replacement behaviors for a setting or provide support for the development of more desirable behaviors.

FBAs should provide the team with the following information:

• what the challenging behavior is in observable and measurable terms, and where, when, and with whom the behavior occurs;

• what the antecedents are (what typically occurs before the behavior);

• what consequences reinforce or maintain the behavior (what typically occurs after the behavior);

• what interventions and strategies have been tried previously and their effects; and

• what the setting events are (what makes the problem behavior worse or more likely to occur).