FBAs & BIPs/PBSs
What are they and do we really need
more acronyms?
PSY 556 presentation by Deb Spencer February 2013
Let’s look at what we know…
On your 3x5 card answer some/all of the following
questions:
 What do you know about Functional Behavior
Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans?
 When might these be useful in a school setting;
when are they required?
 What are the A-B-Cs of FBAs?
 How do these relate to me as a future school
counselor?
Presentation Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
Understand what FBAs and BIPs are, how they
work, and how they may be useful to you.
Break down the steps to behavior assessments and
intervention planning.
Practice using the steps and discuss modifications.
Generalize learning to your school counseling
internship.
Functional Behavior Assessments &
Behavior Intervention Plans
History
Research
Definitions
A Little Bit of History
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FBAs were initially used with developmentally
delayed populations – observable behaviors
FBAs were included in the reauthorization of IDEA in
1997 to address problem behaviors of students
with IEPs; any type of disability + problem
behavior qualifies
They became more widely used for non-sped
students with behavior problems
Research base lagged behind widespread use
The model has been integrated into the PBIS system
What the research says…
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Teachers most common request for support is for
challenging student behavior
FBAs/BIPs have been shown to be effective at
reducing challenging behaviors
They have been shown to increase on-task
behaviors
What is a Functional Behavior Assessment?
A way to address challenging behavior (measureable and
observable)
REFRAME: Problem
Signal
Way to alter the environment to decrease challenging
behaviors
Takes MANY forms from VERY complex and lengthy to more
streamlined
Framework used by a team to address challenging behaviors
http://support4teachers.com/functional-behaviorassesment.html
The ABCs of FBAs
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Common thread throughout various models:
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Antecedent
Behavior
Consequences
What happened before?
Observable/Measurable What is the payoff?
Peer conflict
Bothering classmates
Gain desired object
Homework not complete
Blurting
Avoid difficult tasks
Hunger/Lack of Sleep
Using inappropriate
language
Avoid peer conflict
Routine Change
Out of seat
Gain desired activity
Correction/failure
Fighting
Attention from adult
Engaged in task
Tantrum
Attention from peers
Steps to an FBA/BIP
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1. Understand the challenging behavior
2. Create a hypothesis – ABC – what is the
FUNCTION (reason) for the behavior?
3. Design an effective intervention Behavior
Intervention Plan (BIP)
4. Monitor and evaluate the intervention
What is a Behavior Intervention Plan?
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BIP = Positive Behavior Support (PBS) = Behavior
Support Plan (BSP)
Designed by a team
Starts with the FBA hypothesis then creates an
intervention to alter challenging behavior
 Teach
new skills/behaviors
 Prevent problem behaviors (environmental changes)
 Addresses function (payoff) of problem behavior
Who is on the Team?
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Classroom Teacher(s)
Parent
School Psychologist
Special Education Teacher
School Counselor
Behavior Interventionist???
How does this fit in with PBIS?
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FBAs are used only for Tier 3 interventions
FBAs and BIPs are data driven
PBIS programs generally include templates for FBAs
Check In
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Questions?
Thoughts?
Comments?
Confusion?
Let’s Dig In!
How are these tools actually being used?
Discussion – What have you seen at your site?
- Theory vs. Reality
A Model for FBAs/BIPs
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Samples of FBAs
Samples of BIPs
Samples of Monitoring Tools
Let’s have some fun!
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Identify the Antecedents, Behavior, and
Consequence in the following scenarios:
Puzzling behavior activity
Let’s go to Walmart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IM1p-Tn-jA
A situation at your site?
Let’s work through the steps…
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1. Understand the challenging behavior
2. Create a hypothesis – ABC – what is the
FUNCTION (reason) for the behavior?
3. Design an effective intervention Behavior
Intervention Plan (BIP)
4. Monitor and evaluate the intervention
Web Resources

http://support4teachers.com/functional-behaviorassesment.html
A
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simple description of an FBA
http://www.pbis.org/
 Evaluation/evaluation
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tools
http://cecp.air.org/default.asp
 MiniWeb
FBA
Wrap Up
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Re-read your cards.
What questions do you still have?
What have you learned?
How might this be useful in your career as a school
counselor?