October 20, 2026 | UnifiED Conference | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Presented by: John Umbreit, Ph.D., Kathleen Lynne Lane, Ph.D. BCBA-D, CF-L2, and Elise Sarasin, M.S.E.
In this session, we will introduce a step-by-step approach to designing, implementing, and evaluating Functional Assessment-Based Interventions (FABI; Umbreit et al., 2007, 2024) to support students with intensive behavioral intervention needs. Participants will learn how to (a) identify students who might benefit from a FABI, (b) conduct a functional assessment, (c) collect baseline data, (d) develop a function-based intervention, and (e ) test intervention outcomes, with an emphasis on practical ways to measure treatment integrity, social validity, and student outcomes. As part of this well-tested, systematic approach (Sarasin et al., 2026), we introduce two practical tools: the Function Matrix for determining the maintaining function and the Function-based Intervention Decision Model to guide intervention design. We will connect participants with free-access, on-demand resources for use in their own contexts.
Session Objectives
- Describe a five-step process for conducting Functional Assessment-based Interventions (FABIs) for student requiring behavioral interventions.
- Practice using the Function Matrix to analyze multiple sources of data to determine why a challenging behavior occurs
- Demonstrate how to use the Function-based Intervention Decision Model to inform function-based intervention development