WHAT IS IT?
Functional behavioral assessment is generally considered to be a problem-solving process for addressing student problem behavior. It relies on a variety of techniques and strategies to identify the purposes of specific behavior and to help IEP teams select interventions to directly address the problem behavior. Functional behavioral assessment should be integrated, as appropriate, throughout the process of developing, reviewing, and, if necessary, revising a student’s IEP.
A functional behavioral assessment looks beyond the behavior itself. The focus when conducting a functional behavioral assessment is on identifying significant, pupil-specific social, affective, cognitive, and/or environmental factors associated with the occurrence (and non-occurrence) of specific behaviors. This broader perspective offers a better understanding of the function or purpose behind student behavior. Behavioral intervention plans based on an understanding of “why” a student misbehaves are extremely useful in addressing a wide range of problem behaviors.
This mini-web is designed to provide you with the resources needed to understand the usefulness of functional behavioral assessments and behavioral intervention plans in addressing student problem behavior, as well as what the law requires of school districts with regard to these topics. We are in the process of developing additional materials and coordinating additional resources to provide you with the most useful and current information possible on this topic.
WHAT’S HERE?
Documents – The documents in this series were written with some of the country’s leading experts, were designed and reviewed by panels that have included teachers and administrators, parents, school psychologists, union representatives, researchers, policy makers and others, and were vetted by the U.S. Department of Education for consistency with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Our series on Addressing Student Problem Behavior is available to read online and to download as PDF.
Part I – An IEP Team’s Introduction To Functional Behavioral Assessment And Behavior Intervention Plans
Part II – Conducting a Functional Behavioral Assessment
Part III – Creating Positive Behavioral Intervention Plans and Supports
Part IV – A Trainer of Trainers Guide Coming Soon!