A functional behavioral assessment (or FBA for short) can be a confusing term. So let’s break it down into easy to understand language to answer the question of what is a functional behavioral assessment – including what a functional behavioral assessment entails examining, why, and how to do one.
What Is A Functional Behavior Assessment
What is a functional behavioral assessment (FBA)? It is a fancy term for a process that identifies a specific behavior that is producing unwanted outcomes.
An FBA aims to figure out the behavior by first identifying it, then figuring out what brings it about. After that, a behavior intervention plan can be made to replace the unwanted behavior with something more preferred.
Here is an example:
Susie screams and hits every time the recess bell rings. These are unwanted behaviors that are unsafe to those around her. An adult at school could do an FBA to figure out why Susie acts this way.
Within that functional behavioral assessment, it might come out that the sound of the bell ringing is unpredictable to Susie. This unpredicted loud noise causes her to be dysregulated. When this happens, Susie can’t think clearly and has a lot of nervous energy. She is screaming and hitting to get rid of this extra energy.
What Is The Purpose Of A Functional Behavioral Assessment
Why do a FBA?
Just what is the purpose of a functional behavior assessment?
What is the reason behind it?
What is the desired outcome of an FBA?
These are all great questions. Essentially, functional behavioral assessments are so important when figuring out the ‘why’ behind the behavior.
They help us to understand what is going on or triggering a specific behavior.
Once you know the trigger, you can start to figure out what to put into place to stop that unwanted behavior. This is where a behavior intervention plan comes into place. (If you are looking for more information on BIPs, check out this post: Break it Down: What is Behavior Intervention Plan.)
Essentially, FBAs are key in understanding behavior in order to change it. This is the sole answer to “what is a functional behavior assessment used for?”
What Is Included In A Functional Behavior Assessment
So what are the components of a functional behavior assessment? An FBA should have a few main things.
First of these is basic student information. This includes the name and age/grade of the student. This is helpful for record keeping down the road.
Next, a functional behavioral assessment involves ironing out everything to do with the unwanted behavior. This includes where/when the behavior takes place most often. Also, include what is happening right before the behavior takes place and any possible triggers to the behavior. Lastly, describe exactly what the behavior is. What does it look and sound like?
Another great piece to add is any baseline data. This will give you a great starting point to measure off from when you write up the behavior intervention plan.
The last important part is the hypothesis of the function of the behavior. Why is this behavior coming about? What is the point of it? Figuring this out will really help in changing that unwanted behavior.
How To Do A Functional Behavior Assessment
A functional behavioral assessment can be done in a few easy steps.
One of the most important steps is collecting data. Observing the child around the time that the unwanted behavior occurs is an important step. It is amazing what you notice when just watching the child and things that are going around him/her at that time. Often things aren’t usually noticed.
Another great way to collect data outside of observations is to talk to others. This includes those who are around when the student typically displays this behavior. This might be a teacher at school, a recess supervisor, or a parent/guardian. It is good to hear what they notice to get a really clear picture of what is going on.
Writing up a written plan is another important step. This will get everyone on the same thought process because things will be in black and white. It also allows others to see what is happening before and after the behavior. This can lead to great conversations regarding the ‘why’ behind the behavior.
Looking for how to write a functional behavioral assessment in a quick and easy way? Check out this free 5 step process that will walk you through it. This freebie will help you through the step-by-step process of figuring out that tricky student behavior. Also included are behavior tracking forms for those observations. Tell me where to send this functional behavioral assessment steps freebie to:
How to Write a Functional Behavior Assessment
When writing up an FBA, it is important to capture all the necessary information.
It is great to start with some strengths that the student has. This starts off things with a positive attitude. Plus, once you get around to writing up that behavior intervention plan, it is helpful to already have identified things that can help the student.
Necessary information about the behavior includes data. Hard data comes from observations and notes from those observations. Make sure to indicate what setting the behavior is most often occurs in. Also, include what happens before the behavior and what happens after. Another thing to note is what the behavior itself looks like.
In addition, giving an idea(s) of the function to the behavior is also helpful. This can be great when starting the process of changing the behavior. The most common functions are to get something or to avoid something.
Make sure to share this paperwork with everyone on the team. That way, everyone is on the same page.
If you are looking for a done-for-you form that you just need to write and go, check out these functional behavioral assessment forms. Either print off the downloadable PDF version to handwrite into or pull up the made for Google Docs version to type right into. These forms include 2 different versions of FBAs so you can fit what works best for you (and/or the team).
Also included is a behavior intervention plan form (again to either handwrite into or pull up using Google Docs). Plus there are 7 data collection forms. This resource has everything you need to figuring out tricky student behavior quickly and developing a plan to alter that behavior even quicker. Check it out by clicking here.
Want More Information On What Is Functional Behavior Assessment & Other Supports?
What is a Functional Behavioral Assessment and How it Works at Understood.com has some great information (plus information for parents too).
Teachings in Education has a nice video for all your visual learners out there. 🙂
Next Steps – use the information you learned to write up a great behavior plan. Find information on What is a Functional Behavioral Assessment and tips for writing one here.
Happy Teaching!
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