EVIDENCE-BASED BEHAVIOR SUPPORT
Functional Assessment & Positive Behavior Support Plan (FA & PBSP)
Professional evidence-based behavioral assessment and positive support planning for individuals with developmental disabilities who exhibit challenging behaviors.
$500 per assessment and plan
Functional Assessment (FA) and Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSP) are evidence-based approaches to understanding and supporting individuals with developmental disabilities who exhibit challenging behaviors. Our services meet Washington State DDA policy requirements and follow best practices established by the Association for Positive Behavior Support.
What Is Functional Assessment?
Functional Assessment is a systematic, evidence-based process for understanding the purpose or function that challenging behaviors serve for an individual. Rather than simply describing what behaviors occur, functional assessment examines why behaviors happen and what needs they meet.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, understanding the function of behavior is critical for developing effective, person-centered interventions. All behavior serves a purpose, and challenging behaviors often represent attempts to communicate needs, escape uncomfortable situations, or access desired items or activities.
Components of Functional Assessment
- Record Review: Analysis of medical records, previous assessments, incident reports, and existing behavior documentation
- Interviews: Structured conversations with caregivers, family members, and others who know the individual well
- Direct Observation: Systematic observation of the individual in various settings and situations
- Data Collection: Recording of antecedents, behaviors, and consequences (ABC data)
- Pattern Analysis: Identification of consistent patterns and triggers for challenging behaviors
- Hypothesis Development: Formulation of testable hypotheses about behavior function
Behavior Functions
Research has identified four primary functions of behavior:
- Attention: Behavior occurs to gain attention from others
- Escape/Avoidance: Behavior occurs to avoid or escape demands, situations, or people
- Access to Tangibles: Behavior occurs to obtain desired items or activities
- Sensory/Automatic: Behavior occurs due to internal sensory experiences
What Is a Positive Behavior Support Plan?
A Positive Behavior Support Plan (PBSP) is a comprehensive, person-centered intervention plan based on functional assessment findings. Per DDA Policy 5.14 and 5.19, all PBSPs must contain four major sections with specific content requirements.
Required PBSP Sections
1. Definition of Challenging Behaviors
Clear, observable, measurable descriptions of the behaviors to be addressed, including:
- Operational definitions that anyone could observe and identify
- Severity levels or intensity variations
- Frequency, duration, or occurrence patterns
- Safety risks or impacts on the individual or others
2. Prevention Strategies
Proactive approaches that address quality of life factors and prevent behaviors from occurring:
- Environmental modifications to reduce triggers
- Schedule or routine adjustments
- Addressing power, choice, and control issues
- Enhancing community integration and relationships
- Building competence and meaningful activities
- Ensuring health, safety, and comfort needs are met
3. Teaching Strategies
Instruction on appropriate replacement behaviors that serve the same function:
- Communication skills training
- Coping and self-regulation strategies
- Social skills development
- Problem-solving skills
- Positive attention-seeking behaviors
4. Data Collection and Monitoring
Methods for measuring plan effectiveness and making data-based decisions:
- What data will be collected
- How and when data will be collected
- Who is responsible for data collection
- How data will be analyzed and reviewed
- Decision-making criteria for plan modifications
Who Needs Functional Assessment and PBSP?
Evidence-based behavior support for individuals exhibiting challenging behaviors
Individuals with Challenging Behaviors
Functional Assessment and PBSP services are appropriate for individuals with developmental disabilities who exhibit:
- Aggression: Hitting, kicking, biting, scratching, or other aggressive acts toward others
- Self-Injury: Head-banging, self-biting, self-scratching, or other self-harming behaviors
- Property Destruction: Breaking items, throwing objects, damaging property
- Elopement: Running away or leaving safe areas without permission
- Verbal Aggression: Threatening language, yelling, or verbally abusive behavior
- Non-Compliance: Persistent refusal to follow necessary safety or health routines
- Disruptive Behaviors: Behaviors that significantly interfere with learning or community participation
DDA Policy Requirements
Per DDA Policy 5.14, functional assessment is required before implementing behavior support interventions. The policy emphasizes:
- Functional assessment must be completed before PBSP development
- Plans must use positive, proactive approaches
- Restrictive interventions require additional authorization
- Client participation in planning to the maximum extent possible
- Regular monitoring and data-based decision making
Common Scenarios Requiring FA and PBSP
New Behavior Concerns
When challenging behaviors emerge or worsen, functional assessment helps identify causes and develop effective interventions before behaviors become entrenched patterns.
Transition Planning
During transitions (new residential placement, aging out of school services, changes in caregivers), functional assessment and behavior support planning help ensure continuity and prevent behavioral escalation.
Ineffective Current Plans
When existing behavior plans are not producing desired results, functional assessment provides fresh perspective and identifies factors that may have been missed.
DDA Service Authorization
Many DDA behavioral support services require current functional assessment and PBSP documentation for service authorization and funding approval.
Crisis Prevention
Proactive functional assessment and behavior support planning can prevent behavioral crises that may lead to hospitalization, placement disruption, or legal involvement.
Benefits of Professional FA and PBSP
- Evidence-based understanding of behavior function
- Proactive prevention strategies that improve quality of life
- Positive approaches that respect dignity and autonomy
- Clear guidance for caregivers on intervention implementation
- Data collection systems for monitoring effectiveness
- DDA policy-compliant documentation
- Reduced need for restrictive or reactive interventions
Our FA and PBSP Development Process
Comprehensive, collaborative, evidence-based approach
Initial Consultation and Record Review
Discussion with referral source to understand behavioral concerns and safety issues. Comprehensive review of medical records, previous assessments, incident reports, medication lists, and any existing behavior plans or documentation.
Stakeholder Interviews
Structured interviews with caregivers, family members, case resource managers, and others who know the individual well. Gather information about behavior patterns, triggers, effective strategies, and quality of life factors.
Direct Observation and Data Collection
Multiple observation sessions in various settings and times of day. Systematic recording of antecedents, behaviors, and consequences. Documentation of environmental factors, social interactions, and individual responses.
Functional Assessment Analysis
Analysis of all collected data to identify patterns, triggers, and maintaining consequences. Development of hypotheses about behavior function. Creation of comprehensive functional assessment report documenting findings.
PBSP Development
Creation of comprehensive Positive Behavior Support Plan based on functional assessment findings. Development of all four required sections with specific, implementable strategies addressing prevention, teaching, and response.
Team Review and Training
Presentation of FA findings and PBSP to the support team. Training for caregivers on plan implementation, including prevention strategies, teaching procedures, data collection, and when to seek additional support.
Quality of Life Focus
DDA policy emphasizes that prevention strategies must address quality of life factors. Our PBSPs systematically address:
Seven Quality of Life Domains
- Power and Choice: Opportunities to make meaningful decisions and exercise control
- Community Integration: Participation in community activities and settings
- Status: Valued social roles and positive regard from others
- Relationships: Meaningful connections with family, friends, and community members
- Competence: Opportunities to develop skills and demonstrate abilities
- Health: Physical and mental health needs appropriately addressed
- Safety: Physical and emotional safety in all environments
By addressing deficiencies in these quality of life areas, prevention strategies reduce the need for challenging behaviors and support overall wellbeing.
Person-Centered Planning
Our approach prioritizes the individual's preferences, goals, and communication:
- Client participation in planning to maximum extent possible
- Respect for individual preferences and choices
- Culturally responsive interventions
- Trauma-informed behavior support approaches
- Focus on building on strengths rather than just reducing problems
Documentation and Follow-Up Support
Upon completion of the FA and PBSP process, you receive:
Deliverables
- Comprehensive Functional Assessment report with data analysis and function hypotheses
- Complete Positive Behavior Support Plan with all four required sections
- Data collection forms and instructions
- Caregiver training documentation
- Visual supports or communication tools as appropriate
- DDA policy-compliant documentation for service authorization
Implementation Support
- Training for all caregivers and support staff
- Consultation on challenging situations or questions
- Review of data collection to assess plan effectiveness
- Recommendations for plan modifications based on data
- Coordination with behavioral health professionals if needed
Integration with Other Services
Functional Assessment and PBSP services work in conjunction with:
- DDA Negotiated Care Plan for AFH care planning
- Individual Instruction & Support Plan for skill development
- Change in Condition Assessment when behaviors escalate
- Adult family home nurse delegation services
- DDA behavioral health services and consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Functional Assessment?
A Functional Assessment is an evidence-based process that identifies the purpose or function that challenging behaviors serve for an individual. It examines antecedents, behaviors, consequences, and environmental factors to understand why behaviors occur and what needs they meet. The FA must be completed before a Positive Behavior Support Plan can be developed, as required by DDA Policy.
What is a Positive Behavior Support Plan?
A Positive Behavior Support Plan is a person-centered, proactive intervention plan based on functional assessment findings. It includes four major sections: definition of challenging behaviors, prevention strategies that address quality of life factors, teaching strategies for replacement behaviors, and data collection and monitoring procedures. PBSPs use positive, respectful approaches rather than punitive interventions.
Who needs a Functional Assessment and PBSP?
Individuals with developmental disabilities who exhibit challenging behaviors such as aggression, self-injury, property destruction, elopement, or other behaviors that interfere with health, safety, learning, or community integration. DDA policy requires functional assessment before implementing any behavior support interventions.
How much does a Functional Assessment and PBSP cost?
The Functional Assessment and Positive Behavior Support Plan service costs $500. This includes comprehensive record review, multiple observation sessions, data collection and analysis, functional assessment report, development of the complete PBSP with all four required sections, caregiver training on plan implementation, and all DDA policy-compliant documentation.
How long does the FA and PBSP process take?
The process typically requires 2-4 weeks to complete. This includes initial record review and interviews, multiple observation sessions to gather data on behaviors in different settings and times, analysis of functional assessment data, development of the PBSP, review with the team, and training on implementation. Emergency situations may be expedited when safety is a concern.
Does the PBSP comply with DDA policy requirements?
Yes. Our Functional Assessments and Positive Behavior Support Plans are developed according to current DDA Policy 5.14 and 5.19 requirements. All plans contain the four required sections, address quality of life factors, use positive approaches, and include appropriate data collection methods. We stay current with DDA policy updates to ensure ongoing compliance.
Can you train caregivers on implementing the PBSP?
Yes. Caregiver training on PBSP implementation is an essential component of our service. Training covers the functional assessment findings, understanding why behaviors occur, prevention strategies, teaching replacement behaviors, responding to behaviors, data collection procedures, and when to seek additional support. Follow-up consultation is available as needed.
Schedule Functional Assessment and PBSP Development
Evidence-based behavioral assessment and positive support planning for individuals with developmental disabilities exhibiting challenging behaviors. DDA policy-compliant services throughout the Seattle area. Call Seattle Nurse Delegation at .
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