When a student misbehaves, especially if he or she disrupts the classroom, teachers often try to manage the problem by using consequences. The student’s conduct may not change and the teacher may not know why the student misbehaved in the first place. Instead of resorting quickly to consequences, special educators must work to uncover the “functions” or root causes for a student’s misbehavior. Then teachers can neutralize the causes and provide replacement actions for the student.
 

This development process is called a functional behavioral analysis (FBA).* By studying the purpose (or function) that is being served when a child acts inappropriately, you will be able to determine what supports and strategies might actually diminish the misbehavior.

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