What Is a Functional Behaviour Assessment? NDIS Explained
When a child or adult with a disability engages in challenging behaviour, the first question families and support workers usually ask is, “Why are they doing this?” Answering that question is the most important step in providing effective support. This is where a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) comes in.
A Functional Behaviour Assessment is a structured, evidence-based process used to identify the reasons behind challenging behaviours. It is the foundation of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and is a mandatory requirement for developing an NDIS Behaviour Support Plan.
At Behaviour Bridge, Julianne Shepley, a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner in Perth, conducts comprehensive FBAs to help families understand their loved ones better. In this guide, we will explain what an FBA is, how the process works, and why it is so important.
The Core Concept: Behaviour Is Communication
To understand an FBA, you first need to understand a core principle of Positive Behaviour Support: all behaviour is a form of communication.
People do not engage in challenging behaviour—such as hitting, screaming, or running away—just to be “naughty” or difficult. They do it because the behaviour serves a purpose for them. In the world of behaviour support, this purpose is called the “function” of the behaviour.
If we try to stop a behaviour without understanding its function, we are likely to fail. For example, if a child screams because they are overwhelmed by a noisy room, putting them in “time out” (which removes them from the noise) might actually reward the behaviour, making them more likely to scream next time.
An FBA is the detective work required to figure out exactly what the person is trying to communicate.
The Four Functions of Behaviour
While human behaviour is complex, research shows that almost all challenging behaviour falls into one of four main categories, or “functions.” An FBA aims to determine which of these functions is driving the behaviour:
- Escape or Avoidance: The person wants to get away from something they find unpleasant. This could be a difficult task, a noisy environment, or a specific person.
- Access to Tangibles: The person wants a specific item or activity. This could be an iPad, a favourite toy, or a particular type of food.
- Attention: The person wants social interaction. This can be positive attention (praise or play) or negative attention (being yelled at or scolded). To someone seeking attention, even negative attention is better than being ignored.
- Sensory Stimulation (Automatic): The behaviour feels good to the person or helps them regulate their nervous system. This is common in autistic individuals and might include rocking, hand-flapping, or making specific noises.
Sometimes, a single behaviour can have multiple functions depending on the context. An FBA helps untangle these complexities.
How Does the FBA Process Work?
Conducting a Functional Behaviour Assessment is a collaborative process. A registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner will work closely with the person, their family, teachers, and support workers. The process typically involves three main stages:
1. Indirect Assessment (Information Gathering)
The practitioner starts by gathering as much background information as possible. This usually involves:
– Interviews: Speaking with parents, carers, and support workers to get their perspective on the behaviour.
– Questionnaires: Asking the support team to fill out specific forms that help identify patterns.
– Reviewing Records: Looking at previous assessments, medical reports, or school records to understand the person’s history and any underlying medical or sensory issues.
2. Direct Observation
Next, the practitioner will observe the person in their natural environment—such as at home, at school, or in the community. They will watch the person during times when the behaviour is likely to occur, as well as times when the person is calm and engaged.
During these observations, the practitioner collects “ABC Data”:
– Antecedent: What happened immediately before the behaviour? (e.g., The teacher asked the child to pack away their iPad).
– Behaviour: What exactly did the behaviour look like? (e.g., The child threw the iPad on the floor and screamed).
– Consequence: What happened immediately after the behaviour? (e.g., The teacher picked up the iPad and gave the child five more minutes).
By collecting ABC data over several days or weeks, clear patterns begin to emerge.
3. Data Analysis and Hypothesis
Once the data is collected, the practitioner analyses it to look for trends. They will then develop a “hypothesis” (an educated guess) about the function of the behaviour.
For example, the hypothesis might be: “When asked to transition away from a preferred activity (Antecedent), Sam throws objects (Behaviour) in order to delay the transition and maintain access to the activity (Consequence/Function).”
What Happens After the FBA?
The Functional Behaviour Assessment is not the end goal; it is the starting point. Once the function of the behaviour is understood, the practitioner uses that information to develop a Behaviour Support Plan (BSP).
Because the FBA has identified why the behaviour is happening, the BSP can include highly targeted strategies. If the FBA shows that a child hits to escape a noisy room, the BSP will include proactive strategies (like providing noise-cancelling headphones) and skill-building strategies (like teaching the child to use a card that says “I need a break”).
Without an FBA, a Behaviour Support Plan is just guesswork. With an FBA, it is a targeted, evidence-based roadmap for improving the person’s quality of life.
FBAs and the NDIS
Under the NDIS, a Functional Behaviour Assessment is a required component of behaviour support services. If you have funding for “Improved Relationships” in your NDIS plan, this funding covers the cost of the practitioner conducting the FBA and writing the subsequent Behaviour Support Plan.
It is important to note that a thorough FBA takes time. It requires multiple interviews, observations, and careful data analysis. While it can be frustrating to wait for the assessment to be completed when you are dealing with challenging behaviour daily, this careful detective work is essential for creating strategies that actually work.
How Behaviour Bridge Can Help
At Behaviour Bridge, we believe that understanding the “why” is the most compassionate and effective way to support someone with challenging behaviour.
Julianne Shepley is an experienced Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner who conducts thorough, person-centred Functional Behaviour Assessments for NDIS participants across Perth. We take the time to listen to families, observe the individual in their natural environment, and gather the data needed to create meaningful change.
If you are struggling to understand your loved one’s behaviour, an FBA is the first step toward finding solutions.
Need a Functional Behaviour Assessment? Contact Behaviour Bridge today to discuss how Julianne Shepley and our Positive Behaviour Support services in Perth can support your family.
