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The FBA Step-by-Step Guide: Conducting and Documenting a Comprehensive FBA

A step-by-step resource to help school teams conduct and document comprehensive Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), identify behavioral patterns and likely functions, and use findings to develop effective behavior intervention plans.

The FBA Step-by-Step Guide helps school teams conduct and document a comprehensive Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and use the findings to develop an effective, function-based Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).

This resource provides practical guidance for organizing the assessment process, gathering meaningful information, identifying behavioral patterns and likely functions, and preparing to develop an individualized behavior support plan.

When to Use This Resource

Use this guide when:

  • Planning or conducting a comprehensive FBA.
  • Supporting staff who are newer to the FBA process.
  • Determining what information to gather and how to document assessment findings.
  • Reviewing the quality or completeness of an FBA.
  • Using assessment findings to develop a function-based BIP.
What's Included?

The guide outlines seven key steps in the FBA process:

  1. Identify the Team and Plan the Assessment: Clarify the purpose, confirm procedural requirements, and identify contributors.
  2. Define the Behavior and Establish a Baseline: Identify measurable target behaviors and collect initial data.
  3. Review Existing Information: Examine student records, previous interventions, and relevant educational needs.
  4. Gather Input From People Who Know the Student: Collect perspectives from staff, families, and students when appropriate.
  5. Observe Directly: Identify behavioral patterns, antecedents, and consequences in relevant settings.
  6. Determine the Context and Likely Function: Integrate assessment findings and develop a functional hypothesis.
  7. Review the Findings and Prepare to Develop the BIP: Review conclusions with the team and determine readiness for intervention planning.

Each step includes practical considerations, indicators of completion, and recommendations for documenting information within the Behavior Advantage FBA/BIP tool.

The guide also includes an FBA Completion and Quality Check to help teams evaluate whether the assessment is sufficiently complete, supported by evidence, and ready to guide intervention.

Applying the Guide in Behavior Advantage

Use the guide alongside the FBA/BIP tool to organize and document assessment findings.

Behavior Advantage's Student Tracker, Frequency & Duration, and Partial Interval Recording tools can support baseline measurement and ongoing data collection.

Once the assessment is complete, use the BIP section to develop function-based prevention, teaching, and response strategies. Monitor student progress using Data & Graphs and review implementation consistency using the BIP Implementation Checklist.

Download: The FBA Step-by-Step Guide (PDF)

Related Resource: Not sure whether a comprehensive FBA is needed? Use Behavior Support Pathways to help determine the appropriate level of assessment and support.