Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Support Plans

From my Factoidz's page: Functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and behavior support plans (BSP) generated by the assessment are tools of practice within positive behavior support systems (PBS). Scott and Caron (2005) define PBS as a series of three level systems used in schools. The primary level focuses on the entire student body and the secondary level focuses on students who are not responding positively to the first level. The tertiary level finds the center of attention focused on a particular student and the sort of failures that typically result in school expulsion and or may persist over a lifetime (2005). Although FBA has been widely advocated for use at all school levels, to date FBA is more frequently used at the tertiary level. The components of a FBA and the BSP, and their importance will be discussed through a description of a situation in which a student would utilize both a FBA and a BSP.

FBA is a systematic method of gathering important information about a particular challenging behavior. For more information see: Functional Behavioral Assessment

You might also be interested in: The Man Born Blind on my Associated Contents Page

Autism and School Suspensions

Many students struggle with behavioral issues in school that sometimes end up in suspensions. Researchers have found that many of these suspensions are linked to undiagnosed autism.

According to Shaun Heasley “As many as one third of children suspended from British schools for displaying disruptive or aggressive behaviors could actually be exhibiting signs of undiagnosed autism, new research indicates.

In a study of 26 British elementary school students at risk for suspension or who were suspended from school, scientists found that one in three qualified for a diagnosis of autism.

The findings are surprising, researchers say, because none of the students — who attended 16 different schools — were previously suspected of having the developmental disorder. Instead school staff pegged the students as unruly and disruptive.”

With my background as a father with three teenagers that have autism and an advocate in my community, I have noticed that here in the United States suspensions are increasing in alarming rates. Some of the parents have chosen to have their children tested and found that their child has some form of autism. For more information see:
Undiagnosed Autism Could Be To Blame In Many School Suspensions at Disability Scoop