An FBA is a structured process for collecting information about a challenging behavior and the factors that may trigger or sustain the behavior (Anderson et al., 2015). The FBA process involves gathering both direct (i.e., observations) and indirect information (e.g., structured interviews; Kittleman et al., 2016). Findings from the FBA should result in six outcomes (see Table 1). Once the FBA is complete, a behavior support plan can be created that articulates strategies for both modifying the work environment and teaching appropriate replacement behaviors that serve the same function as the challenging behavior.

Table 1
Primary Outcomes of an FBA

Note. Table adapted from O’Neil et al. (2015)

There is evidence to suggest that the most effective interventions for improving challenging behavior are interventions that are functionally based (Anderson et al., 2015; Carr, 1994). There are four primary classifications of behavior functions: (a) attention seeking, (b) escape/avoidance, (c) sensory reinforcement, and (d) access to tangibles (Carr, 1994). Understanding the function or reason for the challenging behavior allows educators to focus not only on decreasing challenging behavior but teaching more appropriate behavior serving the same function as the challenging behavior (Kittleman et al., 2018).

According to O’Neill and colleagues (2015) FBAs provide valuable information about the social, physiological, academic, and environmental factors that may be impacting the student’s challenging behavior. Transition personnel can use information obtained through the FBA process to (a) modify physical and social settings (e.g., work environments, interactions with colleagues) that will deter challenging behavior from maintaining, and (b) teach appropriate replacement behaviors. Modification of the physical and social setting may also lead to more positive relationships between the employer and co-workers by adjusting certain components of the environment (e.g., altering the amount of work, assisting with social interactions) for students exhibiting challenging behavior (Kittleman et al., 2016). 

When conducting FBAs, it is important to collect both direct and indirect information. Direct information can be gathered by observing the student in the workplace for an extended period on at least three separate occasions. One method for collecting direct information is by conducting an ecological assessment in the form of a discrepancy analysis. Ecological assessments can be used to identify behavior that may be interfering with job performance, clarify a student’s strengths and needs, and describe environmental factors that may evoke challenging behavior. Indirect information can be gathered through informants (i.e., those who have direct knowledge of the student). One method for collecting indirect information is by conducting structured interviews using the Student-Guided Functional Assessment Interview for Work-based Learning (FAI-W; see additional resources section). The FAI-W can be used to identify the function of a student’s behavior and develop functionally based behavior support plans that will teach the student appropriate replacement behaviors. Both forms of information (direct and indirect) can provide valuable information about the student and work environment. 

• Student-Guided Functional Assessment Interview for Work-based Learning (FAI-W)
  This interview guide is designed to gather information about a student’s challenging behaviors at the workplace and to assist in identifying more appropriate replacement behaviors through a competing pathways analysis. Questions focus on defining the student’s strengths, challenging behavior, antecedents to the behavior, setting events that predict the behavior, and consequences that maintain the behavior.
  

Anderson, C. M., Rodriguez, B. J., & Campbell, A. (2015). Functional behavior assessment in schools: Current status and future directions. Journal of Behavioral Education, 24(3), 338-371. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-015-9226-z

Carr, E. G. (1994). Emerging themes in the functional analysis of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27(2), 393-399.

Kittelman, A., Mazzotti, V. L., & McIntosh, K. (2018). Toward a model for collaborative function-based planning in work-based learning environments. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 49(2), 227-239. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-180968 

Kittelman, A., Bromley, K. W., & Mazzotti, V. L. (2016). Functional behavioral assessments and behavior support plans for work-based learning. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 39(2), 121-127. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143416633682

Mazzotti, V. L., Rowe, D. A., Kwiatek, S., Voggt, A., Chang, W. H., Fowler, C. H., Poppen, M., Sinclair, J., & Test, D. W. (2021). Secondary transition predictors of postschool success: An update to the research base. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 44(1), 47-64. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143420959793

O’Neill, R. E., Albin, R. W., Storey, K., Horner, R. H., & Sprague, J. R. (2015). Functional assessment and program development for problem behavior: A practical handbook (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning.