About this resource
This outline helps practitioners organise a functional behaviour assessment. It supports the assessment that informs a behaviour support plan. Use the NDIS Commission's current templates to lodge plans.
Purpose
An outline for a functional behaviour assessment: behaviours, data, setting events, functions and hypotheses.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Positive behaviour support practitioners. Also relevant for occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists.
Client or participant group: Behaviour support practitioners.
Practice setting: Behaviour support practices.
Suggested uses
- Organising assessment data
- Supervision
- Team feedback
Instructions for practitioners
- Add your details and delete what does not apply.
- Check it against your professional requirements.
- Explain it to the person in plain language.
- Store completed copies securely.
Accessibility considerations
Clear headings and tables. The Word version can be edited and filled in on screen.
Scope and limitations
An assessment outline. It is not a behaviour support plan and it does not replace practitioner judgement.
Research basis
Understanding what happens before and after behaviour is the basis of functional assessment, which guides support. Positive behaviour support aims to improve quality of life and reduce behaviours of concern by understanding their function and changing environments and skills.
- Allen, D., James, W., Evans, J., Hawkins, S., & Jenkins, R. (2005). Positive Behavioural Support: Definition, Current Status and Future Directions. Tizard Learning Disability Review, 10(2), 4–11. https://doi.org/10.1108/13595474200500014
- Hanley, G. P., Iwata, B. A., & McCord, B. E. (2003). FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF PROBLEM BEHAVIOR: A REVIEW. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36(2), 147–185. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2003.36-147
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/rules-and-standards/ndis-practice-standards
What is included
A 3-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced. Written for Practitioner Plus from the sources in the research basis.
