What is a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and its purpose?

• A. It determines the best teaching method for a skill.
• B. It identifies which items are most preferred.
• C. It is a process to identify the function (purpose) of a behavior to inform intervention.
• D. It measures the accuracy of data collection.

Answer: (C)

An FBA is a systematic process to identify the function, or purpose, of a behavior so the intervention can address that underlying reason. By looking at what happens before the behavior (antecedents) and what happens after (consequences), you determine why the behavior occurs—commonly to gain attention, escape a demand, obtain a tangible item, or reinforce itself automatically. The main aim is to use that information to design an effective intervention: modify triggers, teach a replacement behavior that serves the same function, and adjust consequences to reduce the behavior. It’s not about choosing a teaching method for a skill, identifying preferred items, or checking data accuracy.