Functional Behavioral Assessment-based Interventions

Functional Behavioral Assessment-based Interventions (FBA) is an individualized problem-solving process for addressing student problem behavior in children identified with or at risk for an emotional disturbance. The intervention involves conducting an assessment to identify the purpose or function of a student's problem behavior by collecting information about environmental conditions that precede the problem behavior and subsequent rewards that reinforce it. This information is then used to identify and implement individualized interventions aimed at reducing problem behaviors and increasing positive behaviors. FBA-based interventions can be used to address diverse problem behaviors such as disruptive and off-task behaviors, noncompliance, and inappropriate social interactions. The assessment process and resulting interventions are carried out with individual students within the context of one-on-one teaching sessions, small groups, or whole classrooms. Different FBA-based interventions are identified for each student based on their specific needs, and may include approaches such as student self-monitoring, modifications to proximity of peers and teachers, peer support, teacher attention, modifications to assignments, curricular modifications, reinforcement systems, and functional communication training.