Functional Behavior Assessments: Beyond the Book

Module Topics

The Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is a foundational practice within applied behavior analysis for identifying environmental variables that influence behavior and informing effective intervention planning. This training provides a comprehensive overview of the full FBA process, beginning with preliminary assessment procedures and progressing through the indirect assessment, direct/descriptive assessment, and, when appropriate, functional analysis. Participants will examine the purpose and unique contributions of each step in the assessment sequence and how these components work together to develop well-supported hypotheses regarding behavioral function. The training also reviews commonly used FBA tools, including rating scales, interviews, structured and narrative ABC data collection, scatterplots, and multiple variations of functional analysis. Emphasis is placed on selecting and applying assessment strategies based on client characteristics, contextual variables, safety considerations, and practical constraints within applied service settings. Finally, participants will learn how to synthesize assessment findings into a clear, professional FBA report that communicates results, hypothesized behavioral functions, and evidence-informed recommendations for intervention planning. The session emphasizes practical implementation strategies and ethical considerations to support behavior analysts in conducting efficient, high-quality assessments that guide effective treatment development.