Before conducting a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA), obtaining informed consent from parents or guardians isn't just a legal requirement—it's an ethical foundation that establishes trust, ensures transparency, and sets the stage for successful collaboration. This guide covers everything educators need to know about FBA informed consent, based on professional standards from NASP (National Association of School Psychologists) and BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board).
Why Informed Consent Matters
Informed consent protects families by ensuring they understand what will happen during the assessment, empowers them to make educated decisions, and creates a collaborative partnership between home and school that leads to better outcomes for students.
What Is a Functional Behavioral Assessment?
A Functional Behavioral Assessment is conducted to answer two important questions:
- 1 Why does the student engage in specific behaviors? Understanding the function or purpose the behavior serves.
- 2 What strategies would decrease problem behaviors and increase appropriate behaviors? Developing individually tailored interventions.
In contrast to traditional assessments (intellectual, academic) where standard testing materials and scoring systems are used, FBAs are individualized to address the unique needs and characteristics of each student. The assessment identifies and describes variables that contribute to behaviors interfering with learning, then uses that information to develop effective, function-based interventions.
FBA Assessment Procedures Families Should Know About
When explaining the FBA process to families, be specific about which procedures will be used. School-based FBAs may involve any combination of the following:
Indirect FBA Procedures
- ✓ Interviews with family members about behavior patterns at home
- ✓ Interviews with school staff who work with the student
- ✓ Interviews with the student (when appropriate)
- ✓ Review of records, including previous evaluation reports and behavioral data
Descriptive FBA Procedures
- ✓ Direct observation of the student in school settings by the evaluator and/or school staff
- ✓ Recording of the student's behavior across varied school settings
- ✓ Recording of antecedent events (what happens before) and consequences (what happens after) problem behaviors
Functional Analysis Procedures (When Applicable)
- ✓ Setting up and repeating scenarios that typically lead to problem behaviors to understand the effect of triggers and consequences
- ✓ Systematic observation and recording during these assessment scenarios
Assessment of Reinforcement
- ✓ Preference Assessment: Having the student sample and choose preferred items or activities
- ✓ Reinforcer Assessment: Testing whether preferred items effectively increase appropriate behaviors
Benefits of Conducting an FBA
When discussing consent with families, it's important to explain the research-backed benefits of function-based assessment:
- Problem behaviors serve multiple functions. For example, behaviors may produce access to attention, preferred items, or activities; help students avoid difficult tasks; create sensory stimulation; or help with self-regulation. Without understanding the function, interventions are guesswork.
- Function-based interventions are more effective. Research consistently shows that behavioral interventions based on FBA results outperform interventions based on team preference or professional judgment alone.
- Interventions are individually tailored. FBAs lead to development of strategies that address the unique characteristics of each student and the specific functions of their behaviors, leading to meaningful reductions in problem behaviors and increases in appropriate alternatives.
Potential Risks to Discuss
Ethical informed consent requires transparency about potential risks. When conducting an FBA, especially using functional analysis methods, some assessment procedures may "trigger" problem behaviors.
Important to Communicate
The level and intensity of problem behaviors during the FBA process is not expected to be significantly different from what typically happens in the natural school setting.
Safety First: If problem behaviors escalate to the point that significant harm to the student or others may occur, the assessment will be immediately terminated.
What Families Can Expect After the FBA
The consent form should clearly outline what happens after the assessment is complete:
- 📄 FBA Report: A formal report describing assessment procedures, results, and recommendations will be provided to parents/guardians and the school team.
- 👥 FBA Review Session: A private meeting with parents/guardians to review the report and discuss results and recommendations will be offered.
- 📋 Team Meeting: Results and recommendations will be reviewed during a formal meeting with parents/guardians and members of the school team to develop the Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).
Essential Elements of an FBA Consent Form
A comprehensive FBA consent form should include:
- 1 School/District Information: Name, address, and contact information
- 2 Student Information: Name, date of birth, grade, teacher(s)
- 3 Explanation of FBA: Clear, jargon-free description of what an FBA is and its purpose
- 4 Assessment Procedures: Specific methods that will be used (checked off)
- 5 Benefits: Research-backed advantages of function-based assessment
- 6 Potential Risks: Honest discussion of what could occur during assessment
- 7 Post-Assessment Process: What families can expect after the FBA
- 8 Acknowledgment Section: Confirmation that the process was explained verbally
- 9 Consent Signature: Parent/guardian signature with date
- 10 Contact Information: Who to contact with questions
Professional Standards: NASP and BACB Guidelines
The FBA consent process is grounded in professional ethical standards:
NASP Principles for Professional Ethics
Standard I.1.2 requires school psychologists to obtain informed consent before providing services. Parents must understand assessment purposes, procedures, and how results will be used.
BACB Professional Compliance Code
Section 3.03 specifies that behavior analysts must obtain informed consent before conducting assessments. This includes explaining procedures in understandable language and documenting consent appropriately.
Best Practices for the Consent Conversation
The consent form is just documentation—the real consent happens in conversation. Here's how to make it effective:
- 1 Schedule dedicated time. Don't rush through consent at the end of another meeting. This conversation deserves focused attention.
- 2 Use plain language. Avoid jargon like "antecedent," "consequence," or "function." Instead, say "what happens before," "what happens after," and "why the behavior happens."
- 3 Invite questions. Pause frequently to ask "What questions do you have?" rather than "Do you have any questions?"
- 4 Acknowledge emotions. Parents may feel anxious, defensive, or overwhelmed. Validate these feelings while explaining how the FBA will help.
- 5 Emphasize partnership. Frame the FBA as a collaborative effort to help their child succeed, not something being done "to" the student.
- 6 Provide written materials to take home. Families should have time to process and discuss before signing.
Using Digital Tools for Consent Management
Modern FBA data collection platforms like Classroom Pulse streamline the consent process:
- Generate professional consent forms with all required elements pre-populated
- Track consent status for each student in your caseload
- Store signed forms securely with easy access for IEP meetings
- Set reminders for consent renewals or follow-up conversations
- Export documentation when needed for compliance reviews
Conclusion
Informed consent isn't just a checkbox—it's the foundation of an effective partnership between schools and families. When parents truly understand what an FBA involves and why it matters, they become active participants in their child's behavior support plan.
Take time to explain the process thoroughly, answer questions with patience, and document consent appropriately. The investment you make in the consent conversation pays dividends throughout the entire FBA and BIP process.
Ready to Streamline Your Consent Process?
Use Classroom Pulse's free FBA consent form generator to create professional, comprehensive consent forms that meet NASP and BACB standards. Track consent status, store documentation securely, and focus more time on what matters—helping students succeed.
References
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2020). Ethics code for behavior analysts. https://www.bacb.com/ethics-information/ethics-codes/
Ingram, K., Lewis-Palmer, T., & Sugai, G. (2005). Function-based intervention planning: Comparing the effectiveness of FBA function-based and non-function-based intervention plans. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 7(4), 224–236. https://doi.org/10.1177/10983007050070040401
National Association of School Psychologists. (2020). The professional standards of the National Association of School Psychologists. https://www.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/nasp-2020-professional-standards-adopted
Steege, M. W., Pratt, J. L., Wickerd, G., Guare, R., & Watson, T. S. (2019). Conducting school-based functional behavioral assessments: A practitioner's guide (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
U.S. Department of Education. (2024). Using functional behavioral assessments to create supportive learning environments. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/idea-files/using-functional-behavioral-assessments-to-create-supportive-learning-environments/
Walker, V. L., & Barry, C. (2018). Legal requirements and considerations for functional behavior assessments. Beyond Behavior, 27(2), 75–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/1074295618779390
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Key Takeaways
- Informed consent is an ethical and legal requirement before conducting any FBA—not just a formality
- Parents must understand what an FBA is, what procedures will be used, and both the benefits and potential risks
- The consent process should be a conversation, not just a form to sign—take time to explain and answer questions
- Function-based interventions derived from FBAs are more effective than interventions based on professional judgment alone
- Digital consent tracking ensures documentation is complete, organized, and readily accessible for IEP meetings
FBA Informed Consent Form Template
A comprehensive, customizable FBA consent form template based on NASP and BACB professional standards. Includes all required elements: explanation of FBA procedures, benefits and risks, acknowledgment of understanding, and consent signature sections.
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About the Author
The Classroom Pulse Team consists of former Special Education Teachers and BCBAs who are passionate about leveraging technology to reduce teacher burnout and improve student outcomes.
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