The PBIS World Book

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

Why should I do it:

  • Provides more information about students’ behavior
  • Helps identify factors regarding behaviors that may not be obvious
  • Provides data trends and patterns
  • FBA can be simple or intensive
  • Helps identify the root causes, functions, and reinforcers of behaviors
  • Provides data for developing an appropriate and effective behavior plan

When should I do it:

  • When a student is not responding to interventions
  • When it is unclear as to why the behavior is occurring
  • When a student’s behaviors require a behavior plan
  • When antecedents and/or reinforcers cannot be readily identified
  • When a student is suspended multiple times or has a high number of office discipline referrals
  • When a student is getting into trouble frequently
  • When a pattern of trend seems to be forming
  • When a student seems to engage in the same behavior regardless of consequence
  • When consequences and/or rewards seem ineffective
  • When a student does not appear to care or be affected by attempts to address the behavior

How do I do it:

  • Begin with a Simple Functional Behavior Assessment (SFBA) by downloading and completing the SFBA form below
  • If the SFBA does not yield enough data and insight to determine the function of behavior, download and complete the Intensive Functional Behavior Assessment form available below (IFBA)
  • When completing the FBA forms, gather information and data from the student’s records, parents, teachers, and any other staff that work with the student
  • Once you have completed the FBA form and have a theory as to the function of the behavior, develop a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) based on the data and results from the FBA

Resources & Support for technique: