FBA & Behavior Plans

Share / assign

Why it works

For students whose behavior persistently and seriously interferes with their own or others' learning, a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and behavior intervention plan (BIP) offer a systematic, evidence-based alternative to punishment that does not work. The FBA process gathers information to understand the function of the behavior, what need it serves or what the student gains or avoids (attention, escape, a sensory need, access to something), by looking at what happens before (antecedents), the behavior itself, and what follows (consequences). The BIP then uses that understanding to prevent triggers, teach replacement behaviors that meet the same need more appropriately, and respond in ways that support rather than reinforce the problem behavior. Understanding FBA and BIP, even for teachers who are team members rather than specialists, shifts the approach from punishing behavior to understanding and changing it, which is far more effective for students with persistent behavioral needs.

The research: Research on functional behavioral assessment and behavior plans.

The run-of-show

Choose your slot. The agenda, timings, and length update to match.

The core activity: understand the function, then plan

Teachers leave understanding behavior function and planning replacements.

For a persistent behavior, gather information on its function (what need it serves, examining antecedents, behavior, consequences).
Identify what the student gains or avoids.
Plan to prevent triggers and teach replacement behaviors that meet the same need appropriately.
Respond in ways that support, not reinforce, the problem behavior.

Understand the function, teach a replacementBehavior serves a purpose. An FBA finds the function; a BIP prevents triggers, teaches replacement behaviors meeting the same need, and responds supportively, far more effective than punishment.

Facilitator notes

Gather information on the behavior function; examine antecedents, behavior, consequences.
Teach replacement behaviors.
Respond supportively, not punitively.

Punishing behavior without understanding its function rarely worksBehavior that persists serves a purpose punishment does not address. Use FBA to understand the function and a BIP to teach replacement behaviors, rather than just punishing.

Adapt it

Elementary: understand function, teach replacement, support.
Secondary: FBA/BIP process, replacement behaviors, support.
All settings: understand function, teach replacement, support.

Participant handout

One page for every teacher. Print it, or save it as a PDF.

K12 Academics · Professional Learning

FBA & Behavior Plans: function first

Understand, then plan: find the function, teach replacement behaviors meeting the same need, respond supportively.

The persistent behavior and information on its function:
The antecedents, behavior, and consequences I examine:
What the student gains or avoids:
The replacement behaviors and supports I plan:
A behavior to understand through its function:

Make it stick

Function first:

Understand the function, then plan.
Teach replacement behaviors.
Bring a function-based plan to the team.

Common questions

What is a functional behavioral assessment?

A systematic process to understand the function of a behavior, what need it serves (attention, escape, sensory, access), by examining antecedents (what comes before), the behavior, and consequences (what follows). Understanding the function is the key.

What is a behavior intervention plan?

A plan based on the FBA that prevents triggers, teaches replacement behaviors meeting the same need appropriately, and responds in ways that support rather than reinforce the problem behavior. It changes behavior by addressing its function.

Why not just punish the behavior?

Because the behavior serves a purpose, and punishment does not teach a better way to meet that need. FBA and BIP understand the function and teach replacement behaviors, which is far more effective.