5 Signs Your Child May Benefit from a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

Understanding Behavior and Finding Solutions That Work

When a child experiences challenging behaviors, it can be difficult for parents to understand what is causing them or what to do next. Behaviors such as frequent tantrums, aggression, refusal, running away, or difficulty with transitions can affect a child’s ability to participate at home, school, and in the community. While these behaviors can be stressful for families, they also provide important information. A Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) can help identify patterns surrounding behavior and guide the development of individualized, evidence-based supports.

An FBA is not simply about identifying a behavior or trying to make it stop. The goal is to understand why a behavior may be occurring and what skills a child may need to communicate, cope, participate, or become more independent. Here are five signs that an FBA may be helpful for your child.

1. Challenging Behaviors Are Happening Frequently

If your child’s challenging behavior is occurring often or beginning to interfere with everyday activities, an FBA may help identify what is contributing to the behavior.

Examples may include:

• Frequent tantrums or crying

• Aggression toward others

• Self-injurious behavior

• Throwing or destroying objects

• Running or leaving an area unexpectedly

• Refusal to participate in activities

• Frequent screaming or yelling

• Significant difficulty following routines

The frequency of a behavior is only one part of the picture. It is also important to consider the intensity, duration, and impact of the behavior.

For example, a child who occasionally refuses to clean up may simply need additional support with transitions. However, if every transition results in prolonged distress that prevents the child from participating in daily activities, it may be helpful to take a closer look at what is happening before and after the behavior.

An FBA can help professionals gather objective information rather than relying solely on assumptions.

2. You Notice the Same Behavior Happening in Specific Situations

Have you noticed that your child’s behavior seems to happen under certain circumstances?

For example:

“My child becomes upset almost every time the iPad is turned off.”

Or:

“Homework seems to result in refusal and crying.”

Or:

“My child runs away whenever we are getting ready to leave the playground.”

These patterns can provide important clues.

Behavior analysts often examine the ABC model:

A — Antecedent: What happened immediately before the behavior?

B — Behavior: What exactly did the child do?

C — Consequence: What happened immediately after the behavior?

Looking at these patterns over time can help identify possible variables associated with the behavior.

For example:

Antecedent: Parent says, “Time to turn off the tablet.”

Behavior: Child cries, screams, and drops to the floor.

Consequence: Parent gives the child additional tablet time.

If this pattern occurs repeatedly, it may provide useful information for developing a plan that teaches the child a more appropriate way to request additional time, ask for help, or transition away from the activity.

Importantly, a single ABC observation does not establish the function of a behavior. Patterns should be examined across multiple observations and, when appropriate, through a comprehensive assessment conducted by a qualified professional.

3. Your Child Has Difficulty Communicating Wants, Needs, or Feelings

Sometimes challenging behavior occurs because a child does not yet have an effective way to communicate what they need.

A child may cry because they want help.

They may run away because an environment feels overwhelming.

They may throw an object because they do not know how to request a different activity.

They may refuse because they are unable to communicate that a task feels too difficult.

An FBA can help identify situations in which communication difficulties may be associated with challenging behavior. Once these patterns are better understood, treatment can focus not only on reducing the challenging behavior but also on teaching functional replacement skills.

Replacement skills may include:

• 🗣️ Requesting help

• 🙋 Asking for a break

• ⏰ Requesting additional time

• 🧩 Requesting a preferred activity

• 💛 Communicating emotions

• ✋ Appropriately saying “no” or “not yet”

• 🔄 Asking what happens next

• 🌈 Using coping strategies

The goal is to give children effective ways to communicate so that challenging behavior becomes less necessary as a means of getting their needs met.

4. Current Strategies Aren’t Working

Families often try many strategies before seeking additional support. You may have tried rewards, consequences, visual schedules, verbal reminders, ignoring certain behaviors, or changing routines—and still feel like you’re not making progress.

If a strategy works temporarily but the behavior consistently returns, it may be time to take a closer look at the factors surrounding the behavior.

An FBA can help determine whether the current approach is addressing the underlying function of the behavior.

For example, imagine a child frequently refuses homework. A parent may assume the child simply “doesn’t want to do the work.” However, further assessment might reveal that:

• The assignments are too difficult.

• The child needs additional instructions.

• The child is seeking help.

• The child wants access to a preferred activity.

• The child has difficulty communicating that they need a break.

• The behavior has historically resulted in homework being postponed.

Understanding these patterns allows interventions to be more individualized and meaningful.

Instead of simply asking, “How do we stop the refusal?” we can ask:

“What skill can we teach that will help this child successfully participate in homework?”

That shift in perspective can make a significant difference.

5. The Behavior Is Affecting Your Child’s Quality of Life

Perhaps the most important reason to consider an FBA is when challenging behavior begins interfering with your child’s ability to participate in meaningful activities.

Behavior may affect:

• 🏫 School participation

• 🏡 Family routines

• 👫 Friendships and social activities

• 🎨 Play and recreational activities

• 🛒 Community outings

• 🍎 Mealtimes

• 🛏️ Bedtime routines

• 🌱 Independence

• ❤️ Family relationships

If challenging behavior prevents your child from participating in activities they enjoy or developing important skills, additional assessment and support may be beneficial.

The purpose of an FBA is not to label a child based on their behavior. Instead, it provides an opportunity to understand the circumstances surrounding the behavior and develop individualized strategies that promote meaningful participation and independence.

What Happens During an FBA?

An FBA may involve several components depending on the child’s needs and the setting.

A BCBA may:

• Interview parents, caregivers, teachers, or other members of the child’s team.

• Review relevant records and previous assessments.

• Observe the child in natural environments.

• Collect ABC or other behavioral data.

• Identify patterns surrounding the behavior.

• Assess possible environmental variables.

• Evaluate current communication and replacement skills.

• Develop hypotheses regarding the function of behavior.

• Make individualized treatment recommendations.

The assessment process should be collaborative. Parents and caregivers provide valuable information because they know their child’s routines, preferences, communication style, and history.

What Happens After an FBA?

An FBA is only one part of the process. The information gathered should be used to develop meaningful recommendations and, when appropriate, a behavior support or treatment plan.

Intervention may focus on:

• Teaching replacement behaviors

• Improving communication

• Supporting transitions

• Modifying environmental triggers

• Increasing reinforcement for appropriate skills

• Teaching emotional regulation

• Building independence

• Supporting flexibility

• Helping caregivers respond consistently

The goal is not simply to reduce a behavior. The goal is to help the child learn what to do instead.

An FBA Is About Understanding, Not Blaming

When challenging behavior occurs, families sometimes worry that they have done something wrong. An FBA is not about blaming parents, teachers, or children. Behavior is influenced by many factors, and understanding those factors allows us to develop more effective and compassionate supports.

At A Big Heart ABA, we believe every behavior provides an opportunity to learn more about a child’s needs. We approach assessment with curiosity, compassion, and respect for each child’s individuality.

By understanding what happens before a behavior, what the behavior looks like, and what happens afterward, we can begin identifying patterns and developing strategies that help children communicate, cope, learn, and participate more successfully.

If you are noticing persistent behaviors that interfere with your child’s daily life, an FBA may be a helpful next step. A qualified BCBA can help determine whether an FBA is appropriate and what additional supports may benefit your child.

Understanding the why helps us teach the how.

Building Skills • Growing Confidence • Changing Lives