What is an FBA and what data sources contribute to it?

• A. A financial audit of behavior-related expenses.
• B. A survey of student opinions about behavior.
• C. A behavioral IQ assessment tool.
• D. A structured analysis of disruptive behavior; data sources include observation, record review, and interviews.

Answer: (D)

An FBA is a structured process to determine why a student engages in challenging behavior by examining how the environment and outcomes influence it. Data sources come together to give a complete picture: direct observation of the student in real settings shows what happens before and after the behavior and helps identify patterns; reviewing existing records like discipline referrals, attendance, academic data, and IEP or behavior plans reveals historical trends and settings where the behavior occurs; and interviews with teachers, parents, and the student (when appropriate) supply context and insights that aren’t always visible through observation alone. By combining these sources, you can form a hypothesis about the function of the behavior—such as seeking attention, avoiding demands, obtaining a tangible reward, or meeting a sensory need—and then design targeted supports to address those underlying causes. This isn’t about opinions, financial matters, or IQ testing—those options don’t provide the focused analysis of behavior’s function that an FBA aims to deliver.