What is a Functional Behavior Assessment?

An FBA is a process used to understand why a student is engaging in a challenging behavior — what triggers it, what purpose it serves for the student, and what's reinforcing it — so the school can design interventions that actually address the cause instead of just reacting to the behavior itself.

An FBA can help the team understand what is happening before, during, and after a behavior and what may be contributing to it.

The purpose is not simply to label behavior. It is to understand the behavior well enough to develop effective supports.

Not necessarily. Students with a 504 plan can also have a BIP as part of their plan if behavior substantially interferes with their ability to access learning, and general education students can receive an FBA through a school's behavior support system (like RTI/MTSS) even without a formal disability determination.

Yes. As a parent and IEP team member, you can request an FBA any time you believe your child's behavior is interfering with learning. The school isn't legally required to grant every request, but if it says no, it must tell you in writing why, and a written request creates a clear record if you need to escalate.

Make the request directly and in writing to your child's case manager or the special education coordinator, with specific examples of the behavior, where/when it happens, and why it's affecting access. Use clear request language ("I am requesting a Functional Behavioral Assessment for [child] due to [behaviors]. Please let me know the timeline and what consent I need to provide."). Expect a consent form next; ask for a timeline. If denied, the school must provide prior written notice explaining why — which you can push back on. Keep copies of everything.

Dr. Long's Assistant answers your specific questions in plain language — built from Dr. Long's expertise, plus state and federal law read at the source — never the open internet.

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