Functional Behavior Assesment
In person FBA services for families in Southern California
What is an FBA?
A Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is a systematic process used to identify the reason a behavior is occurring. It identifies what triggers it, maintains it, and what skills or supports may help your child respond differently.
Rather than only focusing only on reducing behavior, an FBA helps us understand what your child is communicating and what they need to be successful.
An FBA Can Help Answer Questions Like
- Why does my child have meltdowns during certain activities?
- Why does my child avoid certain tasks?
- Why are current behavior strategies not working?
- Is this behavior related to communication, flexibility, anxiety, attention, or another skill?
- What can we teach instead?
The Five Step Process
A systematic approach for understanding behavior and developing meaningful, individualized recommendations.
1. Meeting with Parents
You know your child better than anyone. We begin by talking through your concerns, your child’s strengths, their history, and what you are seeing at home, school, and in other environments. This conversation helps guide the assessment and ensures your child’s individual needs are at the center of the process.
2. Record Review
Before observing your child, I review relevant information including previous evaluations, IEPs, behavior plans, assessments, and related speciality reports (Speech, OT, PT etc.) along with background history. This helps me understand the full picture including previous and current interventions and how other areas of development may be connected to the behavior.
3. Observation
I observe your child in their natural environments such as school and home to understand when the behavior occurs, what happens before it, and how others respond afterward.
Behavior often looks different across settings, so observing real situations is an essential part of understanding the full picture.
4. Data Analysis
I analyze the information collected to identify patterns related to:
- Triggers (what happens before the behavior)
- Responses (what happens after the behavior)
- Setting (where & when the behavior occurs)
- Possible functions (the purpose the behavior serves)
This helps us move from guessing about behavior to making informed decisions.
Review of Findings & Recommendations
After completing the assessment, we'll meet to review the findings together and discuss practical recommendations.
You'll understand why the behavior is happening and what to do about it.
- A clear explanation of what's driving the behavior(s)
- Practical, Individualized strategies to reduce the behavior(s)
- Recommended replacement skills your child can learn
- Guidance on how to prepare for your next school meeting
Pricing
$2,500 - One Time Flat Fee
Private Pay (Check, Zelle, Venmo)
California Self Determination Program (FMS) if applicable
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an FBA take?
Most assessments take approximately 4-6 weeks from intake to the final written report. The timeline may vary depending on the complexity of the concerns, settings involved, and opportunities for observation and data collection.
What kinds of concerns can you help with?
Behavioral challenges that affect learning, relationships, or daily living. This may include tantrums, aggression, elopement, rent or social concerns.
Where does the assessment happen?
The assessment is conducted in the settings where the behavior occurs or where the observation will provide the most useful information. Depending on your child's needs and available access, this may include home, school, or other relevant settings.
Do you need school cooperation to do this?
No. The assessment can be conducted independently of the school district. Access to observe your child can provide valuable information but it is not always required.
Does this include a Behavior Interventin Plan (BIP)?
Yes. The assessment includes individualized behavior recommendations based on the assessment finding in the form of a clear BIP that parents and other service providers can follow.
What areas of Southern California do you serve?
I serve the Beach Cities (Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach), Palos Verdes, Torrance, and Long Beach
Ready to move forward?
Schedule a free 15 minute call to see if a Functional Behavior Assessment is appropriate for your child's needs.
