What is a Positive Behavior Intervention Plan (PBIP)?

A Positive Behavior Intervention Plan (PBIP) includes guidelines that address behavior either that are impeding learning of the individual and/or others or compromises the safety of the individual and/or others. The interventions in a PBIP includes positive strategies and supports to facilitate the occurrence of desirable behaviors and reduce a student’s need to engage in undesirable behaviors.  A PBIP is often created following Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) (see Functional Behavioral Assessments)

A comprehensive PBIP minimally addresses the following areas:

• Predictors for the occurrence of undesirable behaviors 
• Identification of variables that need to be altered to reduce or remove the need to engage in undesirable behaviors
• Functionally equivalent replacement behaviors and the teaching strategies, modifications, reinforcement procedures needed to teach alternative responses
• Strategies employed if the problem behavior occurs
• Manner and content of communication between staff and parents/guardians 

Why use a PBIP?

A PBIP allows for everyone (e.g., parents, guardians, special education teachers, general education teachers, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists) providing educational or therapeutic services to an individual with a PBIP to be able to consistently and effectively work with the individual across varying environments.  By utilizing a team approach, interventions are able to be more easily implemented consistently thus being more effective in reducing problematic behavior and increasing appropriate behaviors.