Understanding the ‘Why’ Behind Behaviour: An Intro to Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA)
Because all behaviour happens for a reason.
Have you ever found yourself asking:
“Why is she doing this?”
“Why does he keep doing that even after I’ve told him not to?”
“Why does this keep happening at the same time every day?”
Those why questions are exactly where good behaviour support begins.
Enter: the Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) 👑
What is an FBA? 🤔
An FBA is a structured way of finding out the function, or purpose, behind a person’s behaviour. It helps us move away from judgment or assumptions and instead lean into curiosity and compassion.
Instead of saying “He’s just attention seeking,” we ask, “What is he trying to communicate or achieve in this moment?”
Why is it so important?
Because if we don’t understand why the behaviour is happening, we risk responding in ways that don’t help, or worse, make things worse.
The FBA helps us:
Understand the root cause of behaviour
Identify patterns over time
Design better, kinder, and more effective and person centered supports
Support long-term change, not just short-term compliance
The 4 Common Functions of Behaviour
In most cases, behaviour serves one or more of the following functions:
Escape – Trying to avoid something unpleasant (e.g., schoolwork, demands, uncomfortable situations)
Attention – Seeking connection, reassurance, or interaction from others
Access to Tangibles – Trying to get something they want (e.g., food, a toy, a phone)
Sensory – Seeking or avoiding sensory input (e.g., movement, noise, texture)
And yes – “attention-seeking” is not a bad thing. Humans are wired for connection.
There are of course more functions, however these are some primary functions we assess in an FBA.
What Does an FBA Actually Involve? 👀
As a Behaviour Support Consultant, I conduct FBAs using:
Interviews with carers, teachers, and the individual
Observation across settings (home, school, community)
Data collection on when, where, and how behaviours occur
Pattern analysis – looking at the ABCs:
Antecedent – What happened before
Behaviour – What the behaviour looked like
Consequence – What happened after
It’s not about ticking boxes, it’s about listening to the story the behaviour is trying to tell.
Why It’s Not Just About the Behaviour
The FBA process is deeply trauma-informed. Many of the children and young people I work with have experienced loss, harm, and uncertainty. What looks like defiance or aggression is often a survival response, a protective strategy that made sense at some point in their story.
Our job isn’t to judge the behaviour, but to understand it and teach new ways to meet needs.
From Understanding to Action 🔄
Once we know the why, we can create a personalised support plan that includes:
☑️ Proactive strategies – to reduce triggers and unmet needs
☑️ Skill-building – teaching alternative, safer behaviours
☑️ Crisis responses – to keep everyone safe in the moment
☑️ Environmental changes – because the right support requires a holistic view
Final Thoughts 💭
Every behaviour is a message. The Functional Behaviour Assessment helps us decode that message.
When we stop asking, “How do I make the behaviour stop?” and start asking, “What is the behaviour trying to tell me?”, we then move toward genuine, lasting support.
Because at the end of the day, behaviour support isn’t about control. It’s about compassion and connection, and positive change.
Curious about how an FBA could help you better support a child or young person? Click here to explore my services or get in touch.
Rosie 🌹