If your child receives ABA therapy or school-based behavioral support, you may have heard the term Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). But what exactly is it, and how does it guide the changes you hope to see?
A Behavior Intervention Plan is a customized, strategic document developed by a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) after a thorough behavior assessment. It outlines how to address challenging behaviors by teaching new skills and modifying the environment.
Think of it as a roadmap — it not only helps reduce the behaviors interfering with learning, safety, or relationships, but also shows how to build meaningful replacement behaviors.
Children may develop behaviors that are unsafe, disruptive, or limit their ability to participate in daily life. These can include:
These behaviors are not intentional or malicious — they often serve a function, such as escaping demands, gaining attention, or expressing frustration.
A BIP helps everyone understand the why behind the behavior and provides tools to change it safely and positively.
Before writing a BIP, a BCBA conducts a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) to collect data and analyze the behavior’s context:
Based on this data, the BCBA develops a personalized BIP.
Your participation is key. Parents help ensure consistency at home and contribute valuable insights to the plan. You can:
Noah, age 5, often threw himself on the floor when asked to transition from play to dinner. His BIP included:
Over two months, Noah’s tantrums decreased from daily to less than once a week.
A Behavior Intervention Plan isn’t about controlling your child — it’s about understanding them. When used correctly, a BIP gives your child tools to express themselves, stay safe, and participate more fully in life.
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