Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA)
What does Functional Behaviour Assessment mean?
A Functional Behaviour Assessment, or FBA, is a structured process that helps a team understand the purpose or function behind a child's behaviour — in other words, what the behaviour is communicating or achieving for the child. By looking at what happens before, during, and after a behaviour, an FBA helps identify patterns such as whether the behaviour helps the child get something they need, avoid something overwhelming, or express something they cannot yet communicate in another way. An FBA is a respectful and evidence-informed tool that puts the child's perspective and needs at the centre.
Why this term matters
An FBA is often the foundation for creating a meaningful and compassionate behaviour support plan at school or in a therapy setting, because it ensures strategies are matched to the actual reason behind the behaviour rather than just the behaviour itself. For Canadian families, it may also be a required component of school-based Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or certain funded support programs.
Canadian context
In Canadian schools, an FBA may be initiated by an educational team when a student's behaviour is significantly impacting their learning or safety, though how this process works varies by province or territory and school board. FBAs are also conducted through funded autism and behaviour programs, and access and eligibility are determined by the program administrator.
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