What does a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) aim to identify?

A Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is primarily designed to uncover the underlying causes and motivations behind a student’s problem behavior. The goal of an FBA is to gather data that leads to informed hypotheses about why the behavior is occurring, which can then guide interventions and strategies to address the behavior effectively. This process involves collecting information through various methods, such as observations, interviews, and review of records, to pinpoint triggers and functions of the behavior, rather than merely addressing the behavior’s surface manifestations or implementing punitive measures. By identifying these underlying causes, educators and specialists can develop tailored behavior intervention plans that focus on teaching alternative behaviors and addressing environmental factors contributing to the problem behavior.