A Functional Behavior Assessment is a systematic process for understanding why a student engages in challenging behavior. The FBA identifies the function (purpose) of the behavior — whether the child is seeking attention, escaping a demand, accessing a preferred item, or responding to sensory needs. The process includes interviews with parents and teachers, direct observation in multiple settings, and data collection on what happens before (antecedent), during, and after (consequence) the behavior. The results are used to develop a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) with strategies that address the root cause rather than just suppressing the behavior. Under IDEA, schools must conduct an FBA when a student with a disability faces disciplinary removal exceeding 10 days.
A quality FBA is essential for both school and waiver-funded behavioral services. Share your school FBA with your waiver case manager — it strengthens service authorization requests.