FBA Method What (Definition) When (Use Case) How (Process) Why (Purpose)
Gathering information through Used early in the process when Ask teachers, parents, or Provides background info
Indirect
interviews, checklists, and rating direct observation is not yet caregivers about behavior and helps form initial
Assessment
scales. feasible. patterns. hypotheses.
Observing and recording When behavior occurs Record antecedents, Identifies triggers and
Direct/Descriptive
behavior in natural settings frequently and can be behavior, and maintaining consequences
Assessment
without manipulation. directly observed. consequences (ABC data). in real contexts.
Experimental manipulation Used when indirect and Test different conditions (attention, Provides strongest
Functional
of antecedents and descriptive data are escape, alone, play) to see what evidence of the function
Analysis
consequences. inconclusive. maintains behavior. of behavior.
Examining existing documents like Used at the start or Review past reports,
Record/Archival Reveals long-term patterns
medical, academic, or disciplinary alongside other logs, and historical
Review and contextual influences.
records. assessments. data.
FBA Method What (Definition) When (Used) How (Procedure) Why (Purpose)
Indirect Assessment Collecting information about Early stage of Ask structured questions, To get initial insights about
the behavior through assessment; when use checklists, review possible triggers, settings,
FBA Method What (Definition) When (Used) How (Procedure) Why (Purpose)
interviews, rating scales, or records, and gather and outcomes of behavior.
quick background
questionnaires with teachers, perceptions of people who
info is needed.
parents, or caregivers. observe the student.
After indirect Use ABC charts
Observing and recording the
assessment; when (Antecedent-Behavior- To identify patterns and
Direct/Descriptive student’s behavior in natural
direct observation isConsequence), frequency environmental factors
Assessment settings without changing the
needed in real-life counts, or interval recording influencing the behavior.
environment.
contexts. while watching the student.
Systematically manipulating When indirect and Set up conditions (attention,
Functional antecedents and descriptive escape, alone, play, demand) To confirm the exact function
(Experimental) consequences to test which assessments are not and measure behavior of the behavior with strong
Analysis variables control the enough; often in frequency under each evidence.
behavior. controlled settings. condition.
To understand historical
Reviewing existing At the start of Collect and analyze past
patterns, rule out
Record Review documents like medical assessment; before or records, grades, incident
medical/academic issues, and
(Archival Data) records, academic files, and alongside other FBA reports, and prior
inform the next steps in
discipline reports. methods. interventions.
assessment.
When (When teachers
FBA Method What (What it is) How (How it’s done) Why (Why it helps)
use it)
Looking at student files, Helps teachers
Check past grades, attendance,
report cards, health At the beginning, before understand
Record Review medical notes, and behavior
records, and past incident observing the student. background and past
history.
reports. patterns.
Talking to people who Gives insight into what
Early on, to get quick Use checklists, interviews, or
Indirect Assessment know the student well may trigger or stop the
input from others. questionnaires.
(parents, teachers, aides). behavior.
Use simple tools like ABC chart Shows what happens
Watching the student in During regular school
Direct Observation (Antecedent, Behavior, right before and after
class or other settings. activities.
Consequence) or tally sheets. the behavior.
Functional Testing different situations If the behavior is serious Change one thing at a time (e.g., Confirms the exact
(Experimental) to see what causes the and other methods don’t give attention, give task, take away reason the behavior
Analysis behavior. give clear answers. task) and observe behavior. happens.
