Behaviour can sometimes be difficult to understand from the outside.
What may appear to be challenging behaviour can have many different causes. A person may be communicating an unmet need, responding to their environment, experiencing distress, or using a learned strategy to manage a difficult situation.
A Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) helps look beyond the behaviour itself to understand what may be influencing it.
At Profiles WA, we believe meaningful behaviour support begins with understanding the person behind the behaviour — their experiences, communication, strengths, environment, relationships, and goals.
What Is a Functional Behaviour Assessment?
A Functional Behaviour Assessment is a structured process used to develop a better understanding of behaviours of concern and the factors that may influence them.
Rather than focusing only on what a person does, an FBA explores questions such as:
- What happens before the behaviour?
- What does the behaviour look like?
- What happens afterwards?
- When does it occur?
- Where does it occur?
- Who is present?
- What might the person be communicating?
- What environmental factors may be contributing?
Understanding these patterns can help identify practical ways to provide appropriate support.
Why Is Understanding Behaviour Important?
Behaviour does not happen in isolation.
A person’s behaviour may be influenced by communication difficulties, changes in routine, sensory experiences, relationships, emotional wellbeing, environmental demands, or other circumstances.
Looking at the broader context can help shift the focus from:
“How do we stop this behaviour?”
to:
“What is this behaviour telling us, and how can we better support the person?”
This change in perspective is an important part of Positive Behaviour Support.
When Might a Functional Behaviour Assessment Be Needed?
An FBA may be useful when behaviours are:
- Affecting a person’s quality of life
- Creating barriers to participation
- Affecting relationships
- Making everyday activities difficult
- Creating safety concerns
- Occurring frequently or unpredictably
- Difficult for families or support networks to understand
- Continuing despite existing support strategies
The purpose is not to label a person as challenging. It is to develop greater understanding and identify opportunities for positive change.
Looking at the Roots of Behaviour
At Profiles WA, our approach reflects our belief that every story has roots.
Like a tree, what we see above the ground is only part of the picture.
🌱 The Roots — Understanding
We consider the experiences, environment, relationships, communication, and circumstances that may influence behaviour.
🌳 The Trunk — Recognising Strengths
We identify existing abilities, communication skills, coping strategies, interests, and sources of support.
🍃 The Branches — Creating Strategies
We develop practical recommendations that can help address support needs and encourage positive participation.
🌿 New Growth — Supporting Outcomes
The ultimate goal is to support greater wellbeing, independence, connection, and quality of life.
What Happens During a Functional Behaviour Assessment?
The assessment process is tailored to the individual.
Depending on the circumstances, it may involve gathering information about the person’s history, strengths, environment, communication, routines, and behaviours of concern.
The assessment may also consider patterns and circumstances surrounding the behaviour to help develop a clearer understanding of its possible purpose or function.
This information can then inform practical recommendations and, where appropriate, a Behaviour Support Plan.
What Is a Behaviour Support Plan?
A Behaviour Support Plan provides strategies designed around the individual and their specific support needs.
Recommendations may focus on areas such as:
- Communication
- Emotional regulation
- Environmental changes
- Skill development
- Positive reinforcement
- Daily routines
- Support strategies
- Increasing independence
The aim is to create supportive environments that help the person participate and achieve meaningful outcomes.
Positive Behaviour Support: More Than Managing Behaviour
Positive Behaviour Support is not simply about reducing behaviours of concern.
It is about improving a person’s quality of life.
This means considering what the person needs to feel understood, supported, safe, connected, and able to participate in everyday life.
A strength-based approach recognises that every person has abilities and potential for growth.
Working With Families and Support Networks
Behaviour support is often most effective when the people around the individual understand the strategies being recommended.
Where appropriate, collaboration may involve:
- Individuals
- Families
- Carers
- Support workers
- Support coordinators
- Other professionals
Working together can help create greater consistency and understanding across different environments.
Functional Behaviour Assessments and the NDIS
Functional Behaviour Assessments can form an important part of Positive Behaviour Support for some NDIS participants.
An assessment can help build an understanding of the individual’s behaviour, circumstances, strengths, and support needs, which may then inform appropriate recommendations and behaviour support planning.
The focus should always remain on the individual rather than simply on the behaviour.
Functional Behaviour Assessments Across Australia
Based in Perth, Western Australia, Profiles WA supports individuals and communities across Australia through flexible telehealth services.
Our Positive Behaviour Support services focus on understanding behaviour through compassion, communication, evidence-based practice, and a whole-person approach.
Understanding Comes Before Change
Every behaviour has a context.
By taking time to understand the person, their environment, their experiences, and their strengths, it becomes possible to develop more meaningful approaches to support.
At Profiles WA, we believe positive change begins with understanding.