Continuing on in our FBA-BIP mini-series, we're at Step 10! This week, we’re tackling one of the most important steps in behavior intervention planning—choosing the right replacement behavior. Just reducing problem behavior isn’t enough; we have to actively teach what to do instead in a way that’s functional, motivating, and sustainable.
🔑 Key Takeaways
✅ Replacement behaviors must meet the same function – If a student yells to escape a task, teaching them to request a break makes sense. Giving them a fidget does not.
✅ Make it easy & efficient – The new skill must be as quick (or quicker) than the problem behavior, or it won’t stick.
✅ Teach what’s already in their repertoire – If a learner can’t say, “Can I take a break?” yet, start with something simpler, like using a break card.
✅ Plan for sustainability – Reinforcement should be natural whenever possible, so skills can generalize without heavy external rewards.
✅ Extinction matters – If the old behavior still works sometimes, students will keep using it. Staff must commit to only reinforcing the replacement behavior.
📚 Resources and Ideas
📌 Check out Episode 12 on replacement behaviors!
📌 Teaching Positive Behaviors FREE visuals
📌 These Functions of Behaviors social stories might be helpful for your young learners!
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