A functional behaviour assessment, usually shortened to FBA, is the starting point for a comprehensive behaviour support plan. Its job is to work out why a behaviour of concern happens. Once we understand what a behaviour does for the person, we can build a plan that meets that need in a safer way and improves their quality of life.
This article explains what an FBA involves, who takes part and how long it usually takes.
Why the reason behind a behaviour matters
Every behaviour serves a purpose for the person. It might help them get attention, escape a demand that feels too hard, get access to something they want, or cope with pain, noise or anxiety. Two people can show the same behaviour for completely different reasons, and a strategy that helps one of them can make things worse for the other.
That is why a comprehensive behaviour support plan has to be based on an assessment. Guessing at the cause tends to produce plans that rely on reacting to incidents instead of preventing them.
What the assessment involves
Each FBA is shaped around the person, but most include the following parts.
- Getting to know the person. We talk with the participant in the way that suits them best, and learn about their strengths, interests, communication, health and history.
- Talking with the people around them. Family members, support workers, teachers, allied health professionals and others who know the person well each see a different part of their week.
- Reviewing records. This can include previous plans, incident reports, health information and therapy reports, with consent.
- Observation. We spend time with the person at home, in the community or at their service, to see what happens before, during and after a behaviour.
- Collecting data. Support workers and families record when behaviours happen and what was going on at the time. Patterns in this data are often the most useful part of the assessment.
- Looking at the environment. Noise, routines, staffing changes, sleep, pain and unmet communication needs can all play a part.
What comes out of it
At the end of the assessment we write a report that sets out what we found, including the likely function of each behaviour of concern and the situations that make it more or less likely. This becomes the foundation of the comprehensive behaviour support plan.
The plan then focuses on prevention first: changes to the environment and routines, new skills that give the person another way to meet the same need, and clear guidance for the people supporting them. Where restrictive practices are in use, the plan also sets out how they will be reduced and, where possible, stopped.
How long it takes
Under the NDIS behaviour support rules, a comprehensive behaviour support plan must be developed within six months of a specialist behaviour support provider being engaged. Where there is an immediate need, for example when restrictive practices are already being used, an interim plan must be in place within one month while the assessment is completed.
At Forsyth Therapies we aim to provide an interim plan within one month of engagement and a comprehensive plan within three months.
How families and support workers can help
- Share what you know, including what has worked and what has not.
- Keep records as accurately as you can when you are asked to collect data.
- Tell us about recent changes, such as a new house, new medication or new staff.
- Ask questions. A good assessment is done with you, not to you.
This article is general information only and is not advice about a particular person's circumstances.
