What is a Functional Behavioral Assessment?

By Tracy Gershwin Mueller

Power Point Slide Show by Dr. Tracy Gershwin Mueller

Select to play the Narrated PowerPoint Slideshow on Functional Behavioral Assessment

A functional behavior assessment (FBA ) is an assessment process that involves observing a student's problem behavior (target behavior) with the intent to identify the function, or purpose of the behavior. An FBA requires educators to gather information that can assist the team with the identification of the maintaining consequences of the behavior so that a behavior intervention plan (BIP) can be developed to address the problem behavior. When collecting data for an FBA, it is important for educators to identify the following information:

  • What does the behavior look like?
  • When and where the behavior occurs?
  • Frequency of the behavior (how many times)?
  • Duration of the behavior (how long)?
  • What happens right before the behavior? (Antecedents)
  • What happens following the behavior (Consequences- what did they get or avoid?)
  • Setting events? (Slow triggers that may affect the behavior, such as lack of sleep or illness)
  • Who is around when the behavior occurs?
  • What is the environment like in situations where the behavior is occurring?
  • What is the environment like in situations where the behavior is not occurring?
  • Other variables that appear to be affecting the behavior?

Please click on the link for some Data Collection Forms that may be useful for your own data collection.

Steps to Conduct an FBA:

  1. Identify the Problem Behavior: Describe in terms that are observable and measurable
  2. Collect Data: At least 3 sources for triangulation (see above for suggestions)
  3. Formulate your hypothesis: Determine the function of the behavior
  4. Develop a behavior intervention plan based on the FBA: Teach a more appropriate behavior that meets the same need (replacement behavior), extinguish the behavior (withhold previous reinforcement that maintained the behavior), and provide instructional, environmental, antecedent, and consequent-based interventions (see I Wonder What is a Behavior Intervention Plan).
  5. Create a fidelity of implemetation plan that details who will be implementing the interventions, when and where.
  6. Evaluate: Collect data to analyze behavior and follow-up with the team to determine if the intervention is working
  7. Fade interventions into self-management program of natural reinforcement. Plan for sustainability!