Functional Behavioral Assessments and Intervention Plans in Early Intervention Settings

This article advocates the use of functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and behavioral intervention plans (BIPs) in the development of individualized family service plans for children with or at risk of developing behavioral disorders. The article reviews literature supporting early intervention and family collaboration. It describes the FBA and BIP processes and proposes a parent collaborative model for behavior assessment and plan implementation. The article also analyzes legal mandates and posits that collaboration with parents in the planning and implementation of FBAs and BIPs can yield positive outcomes for participating children, parents, and early intervention staff.