Summary and Definition of FBA/PBSP
Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and Positive Behavior Plans (PBSPs) are essential tools in special education, aimed at understanding and addressing challenging behaviors in students. RESOURCES
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
An FBA is a systematic process used to identify the underlying causes or functions of a student's challenging behavior. The purpose is to understand why a behavior occurs by examining the antecedents (what happens before the behavior), the behavior itself, and the consequences (what happens after the behavior). This assessment helps educators and parents to determine whether a behavior is a means for the student to obtain something desired, like attention, or to avoid something undesirable, such as a difficult task. By identifying these functions, educators can tailor interventions to address the specific needs of the student, making the learning environment more conducive to their success.
Positive Behavior Plans (PBSPs)
Once an FBA is conducted, the information gathered is used to develop a Positive Behavior Support Plan (PBSP), also known as a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). This plan outlines strategies and supports to help the student learn and adopt new, more appropriate behaviors that serve the same function as the challenging behavior. PBSPs may include changes to the environment, teaching new skills, and reinforcing positive behaviors. The goal is to replace disruptive behaviors with constructive ones, thereby enhancing the student's ability to succeed academically and socially.
FBA/PBPs Importance in Special Education
FBAs and PBSPs are integral to special education as they provide a structured approach to understanding and modifying challenging behaviors, which can often be a barrier to learning and social interaction. These assessments and plans are not only beneficial for students with disabilities but have also been effectively used in general education settings to improve overall classroom management and student engagement. By focusing on the individual needs of students and involving a team of educators, parents, and specialists, FBAs and PBSPs ensure that interventions are personalized and effective, ultimately helping students achieve their educational goals.
PaTTAN Training Plan offering for FBA/PBSP is an 8-week Schoology course offering 9 credit hours for Act 48, Psych, and BCBA
Schoology Course Description-
When a student’s behavior is interfering with his/her learning or the learning of others, a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is used to identify problem behaviors and develop interventions to improve or eliminate those behaviors. The procedural steps in conducting an FBA require focused teaming, precise behavioral tracking, and targeted interventions to best support the student in all intended educational settings. Intervention fidelity and progress monitoring are additional key factors that effectively link the socially appropriate replacement behaviors to a supporting student level Positive Behavior Support Plan. Participants in this asynchronous virtual course will learn how to conduct a Functional Behavioral Assessment and the requisite behavioral decision-making process to successfully connect interventions to a technically adequate Positive Behavior Support Plan. Explicit areas of focus will include the process of making data informed decisions and fidelity-based progress monitoring at both the targeted and tertiary levels of student support.
Session Objectives/Skills Knowledge-
- Identify the course components and systemic steps for conducting an evidence-based FBA.
- Define the targeted behaviors intended for change and identify appropriate replacement behaviors.
- Describe the various data tools that are commonly used in the FBA process.
- Create a technically adequate behavior support plan based on the FBA findings and specific area of behavioral need.
- Explain the necessary procedure in progress monitoring and related fidelity tracking of the positive behavior support plan.