What is an FBA? A Parent’s Guide to NDIS Functional Behaviour Assessments
If you have recently received an NDIS plan with "Improved Relationships" funding, you may have heard the term FBA or Functional Behaviour Assessment.
For many parents in Melbourne’s West, this sounds like just another piece of clinical jargon. However, the FBA is actually the most important tool we use to understand your child’s needs and create a pathway toward a calmer, happier home life.
What exactly is an FBA?
Think of an FBA as a "detective investigation." Instead of just looking at what a person is doing (the challenging behaviour), we look at why they are doing it.
Every behaviour serves a purpose. Whether it’s a meltdown at school in Melton or a refusal to get dressed in Werribee, the participant is trying to communicate something. Our job is to translate that communication.
The Three Steps of the FBA Process
At Gibelli Positive Pathways, we break the assessment down into three clear stages:
Information Gathering: We talk to the people who know the participant best—you! We also review previous reports from OTs or Speech Pathologists.
Direct Observation: Our practitioners visit the home or school environment to see the behaviour in context.
The Analysis: We identify the "function" of the behaviour. Is it to avoid a difficult task? To gain attention? Or perhaps to meet a sensory need?
Why is the FBA so important for your NDIS Plan?
Without an FBA, a Behaviour Support Plan is just a guess. Google and the NDIS Commission require a evidence-based approach. A high-quality FBA ensures that:
Your strategies are actually targeted at the root cause.
Your funding is being used effectively.
You have a clear baseline to measure progress over time.
Local Support in Melbourne’s West
We understand that waiting for assessments can be stressful. We prioritize local families in Melton, Werribee, and surrounding suburbs to ensure your FBA is completed thoroughly and professionally, without the long commute to a city clinic.
Need an FBA for your child or participant?
Our mobile practitioners are currently accepting new referrals for Functional Behaviour Assessments across Western Melbourne.
