When a child is struggling with behavior at school, parents may hear terms like FBA or BIP without being given a clear explanation of what they mean. This parent-friendly guide helps families understand the purpose of a Functional Behavioral Assessment, what information may be important, and what questions to ask when behavior concerns are being discussed as part of the special education process.

This resource is also included inside Whole Child Collective, our monthly membership community for special education and 504 parents. Members receive access to this guide, additional parent-friendly resources, new monthly resource additions, community support, and access to Whole Child Insight.

This guide is designed for parents who want to better understand behavior through a supportive, student-centered lens. Rather than focusing only on how to “stop” a behavior, this guide helps parents think about what the behavior may be communicating and what supports, skills, or environmental changes may help the child be more successful.

Inside this guide, parents will learn:

What a Functional Behavioral Assessment, or FBA, is
Why an FBA should look beyond the behavior itself
How behavior may communicate an unmet need, skill gap, or environmental challenge
Common functions of behavior, including escape or avoidance, attention or connection, access to something preferred, and sensory or regulation needs
Why similar behaviors may serve different purposes for different students
What information should be gathered during a meaningful FBA
Why teams should look beyond one difficult day, one observation, or one adult’s impression
Questions parents can ask about behavior, data, possible causes, supports, and next steps
How an FBA may connect to a Behavior Intervention Plan, updated goals, accommodations, services, or additional evaluation
Why strong behavior plans should focus on skills and support, not just compliance
Reflection prompts parents can use before a school meeting

This resource is written in a calm, parent-friendly style to help families feel more prepared when discussing behavior concerns, requesting an FBA, reviewing an assessment, or participating in an ARD/IEP meeting.

Want access to this guide and more? This resource is included with a Whole Child Collective membership, along with our growing library of IEP, 504, evaluation, advocacy, behavior support, and school meeting preparation resources. Members also receive community support and access to Whole Child Insight for clear, state-specific special education guidance.

Educational Disclaimer This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, clinical, medical, or psychological advice. Every child’s situation is unique.

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