A functional behavioral assessment is a process for gathering information about behaviors of concern, whether the behaviors are academic, social or emotional. An FBA starts by defining the student's behavior in a specific and objective way. This behavior-focused evaluation uses a structured process to gather data for a special education IEP.
This helps identify the reasons behind a student's behavior and develop interventions to change it. If a student's behavior is caused by or had a direct relationship to their disability, then an FBA is required. Academic-related behaviors could be not completing homework assignments or class work. Behaviors that are social or emotional in nature may be hitting others, getting up from the desk frequently, calling others’ names, or refusing to follow classroom or school norms and expectations.
This helps identify the reasons behind a student's behavior and develop interventions to change it. If a student's behavior is caused by or had a direct relationship to their disability, then an FBA is required. Academic-related behaviors could be not completing homework assignments or class work. Behaviors that are social or emotional in nature may be hitting others, getting up from the desk frequently, calling others’ names, or refusing to follow classroom or school norms and expectations.