High Need Students:

Functional Behavioral Assessments

A functional assessment of behavior is a problem-solving approach that (1) describes clearly the behavior of concern, (2) identifies the events, times, and situations that predict when the behavior will or will not occur, (3) identifies the consequences that maintain the behavior, and (4) develops one or more summary statements that describe specific behavior, the specific types of situations in which the behavior occurs, and the reinforcers that maintain the behavior. Direct observation of the challenging behavior under natural conditions is the foundation for a functional behavioral assessment.

For more information about functional behavioral assessment:

http://pbis.org/english/Functional_Assessment_of_Behavior.htm

http://www.air.org/cecp/fba/default.htm

To see a sample functional behavioral assessment plan:

http://pbis.org/english/Individual_Support.htm

To see a sample behavior support plan:

http://pbis.org/english/Individual_Support.htm

Activity:
Find out if anyone at your school has been trained to conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments and how these assessments are used to assist students.

Explore with your school system’s professional development staff of Office of Student Services how staff at your school might receive training and supervision in conducting FBA’s.