FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENTS

A Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is an assessment process used to determine the function of a behavior. The purpose of a FBA is to provide information that will be used to design effective positive behavior support plans and to find out what is causing the behavior. FBA's are conducted by a Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and can be used in schools, the home, daycare or community settings as well as in residential care settings.

The outcomes of completing an FBA include:

• Observable, measurable and operationally defined behaviors of concern

• Identification of events and situations which predict when the target behavior will and will not occur 

• Identification of what functions the behavior appears to serve and replacement behaviors.

​

The FBA process includes: 

• Review of pertinent records and reports

• Definition the behavior

• Data collection

• Direct observation

• Interview caregivers/staff/teachers

• Hypothesis of the function

• Recommendations that are evidenced- based and rooted in research