When someone experiences challenging, distressing, or hard-to-understand behaviours, it can be hard to know where to begin.
A Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) is often the first important step towards understanding what is happening and identifying the right support. Rather than simply focusing on stopping a behaviour, an FBA looks deeper to understand why it may be happening.
At Liberty Behavioural Services, we believe behaviour is often a form of communication. By taking the time to understand a person’s experiences, environment, needs, and behaviour triggers, we can develop practical and respectful strategies that support long-term wellbeing.
What Is a Functional Behaviour Assessment?
A Functional Behaviour Assessment is a structured behaviour assessment process used to understand the reasons behind a person’s behaviour.
Sometimes referred to as an FBA assessment, the process explores what may be influencing challenging behaviour and what the person may be communicating or trying to achieve through that behaviour.
This might involve looking at:
- When and where a behaviour occurs
- What happens before the behaviour
- What happens afterwards
- Possible behaviour triggers
- The person’s communication style and abilities
- Their routines, relationships, and environment
- Sensory needs or preferences
- Physical, emotional, or other factors that may be relevant
The purpose is not to blame the participant or the people supporting them. Instead, the assessment helps build a clearer picture of the person’s life and experiences. Essentially, the more we can understand the why, the easier it is to decide on the ‘what we are going to do’ when looking for the solution!
Why Is Understanding the Function of Behaviour Important?
The same behaviour can mean different things to different people.
For example, a person may display a particular behaviour when they are feeling overwhelmed, trying to communicate a need, avoiding an uncomfortable situation, seeking connection, or responding to something in their environment.
Without understanding the reason behind the behaviour, support strategies may only address what is happening on the surface.
Behaviour analysis helps practitioners look beyond the behaviour itself and ask important questions such as:
- What happened before the behaviour?
- What need might the person be expressing?
- What happens afterwards?
Understanding these patterns can help a behaviour specialist identify the likely function of the behaviour and develop more effective support recommendations.
This is an important part of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), which focuses on improving quality of life, building skills, and reducing distress.
What Happens During an FBA Assessment?
Every participant-centred assessment should be tailored to the individual. However, the Functional Behaviour Assessment process often includes several important stages.
Getting to Know the Participant
A good assessment starts with getting to know the person.
A behaviour specialist may spend time learning about the participant’s strengths, goals, preferences, communication style, daily routines, and support needs.
Where appropriate, family members, carers, support workers, support coordinators, educators, and other members of the participant’s support network may also provide valuable information.
The participant should remain at the centre of the process. Their experiences, choices, and goals matter.
Gathering Behaviour Data
Behaviour data collection helps identify patterns that may not always be obvious at first.
This information might include:
- How often a behaviour occurs
- When it is most likely to happen
- Any setting events (major events that have recently occurred, e.g. a death)
- Where it happens
- Who is present
- What occurs immediately before the behaviour
- What happens afterwards
- What are the exception occasions where it doesn’t occur, and what’s different there?
The goal of behaviour observation is not to judge the participant. It is to understand patterns and the circumstances surrounding the behaviour.
Over time, this information can provide useful insights into possible triggers and the function of the behaviour.
Identifying Behaviour Triggers and Patterns
Behaviour triggers can look different for everyone.
For one person, a change in routine may be difficult. For another, it could be disastrous – sensory overload, communication difficulties, physical discomfort, social situations, or unmet needs may contribute to distress.
An assessment considers the whole picture rather than assuming there is one simple explanation.
By identifying patterns, the behaviour specialist can begin to understand what may make a behaviour more or less likely to occur.
How Does an FBA Support Positive Behaviour Support?
A Functional Behaviour Assessment is an important foundation for Positive Behaviour Support.
At Liberty Behavioural Services, PBS is focused on understanding the reasons behind behaviours and developing positive, practical, and person-centred strategies. The goal is not to simply manage behaviour in the short term, but to support meaningful and lasting improvements in quality of life.
The information gathered during a PBS assessment can help guide behaviour support planning.
This may include strategies to:
- Reduce known triggers where possible
- Create more supportive environments
- Improve communication
- Build emotional regulation and coping skills
- Teach replacement skills
- Support greater independence
- Help families and support workers respond consistently
The strategies should always be tailored to the individual rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Once the behaviour assessment process is complete, the findings can be used to develop clear and practical support recommendations.
Depending on the participant’s needs, these recommendations may inform a Behaviour Support Plan.
A behaviour support plan can outline:
- The behaviours of concern
- Their likely triggers and functions
- Proactive strategies to support the participant
- Strategies for responding safely and consistently
- Skills the participant can develop
- Ways family members, carers, and support workers can work together
The plan should be practical and relevant to the participant’s everyday life.
It is also important to remember that behaviour support is not a one-time process. People’s needs, environments, routines, and goals can change over time. Regular review and ongoing collaboration can help ensure support remains relevant and effective.
Who Is Involved in the Assessment Process?
Positive outcomes are often supported by strong collaboration.
Depending on the participant’s circumstances, the assessment process may involve:
- The NDIS participant
- Parents and family members
- Carers
- Support workers
- Support coordinators
- Schools or educators
- Allied health professionals
- Other important people in the participant’s life
Each person may have different observations and experiences that help create a more complete understanding.
However, collaboration should always respect the participant’s dignity, privacy, preferences, and right to be involved in decisions about their own support.
Is a Functional Behaviour Assessment an NDIS Assessment?
For NDIS participants receiving behaviour support, an FBA may form an important part of the overall assessment and planning process.
An NDIS assessment for behaviour support helps practitioners understand the participant’s individual needs and identify appropriate evidence-based intervention strategies.
The assessment can provide the information needed to develop support that is meaningful, practical, and aligned with the participant’s goals.
If you are unsure whether behaviour support is appropriate for you or someone you support, speaking with a qualified behaviour specialist can help you understand the available options.
Why a Participant-Centred Approach Matters
No two people experience the world in the same way.
That is why effective behaviour support should not be based solely on a diagnosis or a list of behaviours. A participant-centred assessment considers the individual as a whole person.
This means recognising their:
- Strengths and abilities
- Preferences and choices
- Communication needs
- Personal goals
- Relationships
- Environment
- Experiences and support needs
At Liberty Behavioural Services, our approach to Positive Behaviour Support is grounded in dignity, respect, collaboration, and practical strategies that support long-term wellbeing. We work alongside participants and their support networks to better understand what is happening and identify meaningful ways forward.
Taking the First Step Towards Better Behaviour Support
When behaviour is difficult to understand, it is easy to focus only on what needs to change. A Functional Behaviour Assessment takes a different approach.
It starts by asking why.
Through careful behaviour observation, behaviour data collection, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of the participant’s everyday life, an assessment can help uncover the factors influencing behaviour.
From there, the focus can shift towards practical, evidence-based intervention and positive strategies that support the participant to feel understood, develop meaningful skills, and improve their quality of life.
Whether you are an NDIS participant, parent, caregiver, or support coordinator, understanding the assessment process can help make the first step towards behaviour support feel less overwhelming.
Ready to Learn More About Behaviour Support?
Liberty Behavioural Services provides personalised Positive Behaviour Support for children, teenagers, and adults across Australia. Our experienced Behaviour Support Practitioners work collaboratively with participants, families, carers, and support networks to develop practical, respectful, and goal-focused support.
To learn more about our behavioural support services or make a referral, visit our Refer Now page and speak with our friendly team today.
