FBAs and BIPs: Avoiding and Addressing Four Common Challenges Related to Fidelity

Although functional behavioral assessment (FBAs) have been required under certain disciplinary circumstances since Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997, problems with fidelity of implementation of both FBAs and behavior intervention plans (BIPs) inhibits their usefulness for both students and educators. The purpose of this paper is to provide a practitioner’s guide for improving fidelity and implementation of empirically sound FBAs and BIPs. Potential pitfalls addressed include (a) mismatched functions, (b) skill deficits, (c) absence of critical environmental variables, and (d) inaccessible reinforcement. When discussing each pitfall, we offer a vignette, describe the pitfall, and present suggestions for trouble-shooting problems that might arise.