Behavior as Communication: A Functional Approach to Understanding and Supporting Student Behavior

This series will introduce educators to an evidence-based framework for understanding behavior as a form of communication. Through a functional lens, participants will learn to identify the underlying skill-based needs that may contribute to student behaviors and explore supportive, proactive strategies to address them. The series will also highlight ways to create responsive learning environments, implement individualized supports, and foster meaningful, sustainable behavioral growth.

Day one will introduce educators to a functional understanding of behavior as purposeful and communicative. Participants will explore the ABCs (Antecedent–Behavior–Consequence) of behavior, the four common functions (attention, access, escape, sensory), and how unmet needs often drive behavioral escalations that impact learning and participation. The session will then focus on observing, documenting, and assessing behavior in the classroom—highlighting how to identify patterns and evaluate environmental, instructional, and relational factors. Educators will also be introduced to tools used when both conducting functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and gathering meaningful data to guide effective person-centered support planning. These concepts set the stage for person-centered support planning.

Day two will focus on how to build upon an individualized and functional understanding of behavior from a needs-based perspective to support the development of person-centered support plans. This includes how to successfully observe, document, and measure behavior in the classroom. Participants will explore strategies that emphasize proactive approaches, skill-building, and supports for navigating moments of escalation. An individualized planning framework will be introduced, which allows teams to customize supports to match the student’s needs and environment. The training will also address strategies for generalizing across special education and inclusion settings.

Participants will:

• Describe behavior as a form of communication and identify its functional purpose.
• Understand how to build supports from a functional and individualized, needs-based perspective.
• Define methods for distinguishing between skill deficits and performance/environmental issues in behavioral presentations.
• Learn methods for developing proactive and personalized strategies that reduce the likelihood of challenges.
• Learn strategies for effective measurement and data collection that can be implemented in all settings.
• Assess strategies for developing person-centered plans that encourage effective skills generalization and independence.