6.12: Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
Behavior planning
Sometimes, a child’s behavior can get in the way of learning (either their own learning or the learning of other students). When this happens, the IEP team should talk about ways to support the child’s behavior in a positive way.
One way to do this is through a Behavior Intervention Plan, or BIP.
What is a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)?
A BIP is a written plan that helps your child learn new skills and positive behaviors at school. It lays out:
- What triggers the challenging behavior
- How school staff will respond and support your child
- Strategies to teach your child what to do instead
- Who will track progress, and how often
This plan is based on a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), which helps the team understand why the behavior is happening. The FBA includes input from parents, teachers, and other professionals.
The BIP becomes part of your child’s IEP and is a legally binding plan. If your child doesn't have an IEP or 504 Plan, a BIP can still be created, but it won’t come with the same legal protections.
What About ABA or Intensive Behavior Support?
Some children need more than just a simple behavior plan. They may need intensive behavior support to make real progress at school.
While public schools usually don’t offer full ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy like a private clinic would, they can be required to provide intensive behavioral support, including ABA-based strategies, if your child needs it to learn.
This might include:
- A dedicated behavior aide or trained staff person
- An individualized behavior plan that uses ABA methods (like positive reinforcement and data tracking), supervised by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- A highly structured classroom that incorporates discrete trial teaching or visual behavior systems
- In-home ABA consultation or services paid for by the school (in special situations, like after a hearing or agreement)
If your child requires this level of support to succeed, the school must provide it at no cost to you. This may include hiring outside providers, creating a more specialized classroom environment, or adjusting your child’s school placement.
What Parents Can Do
If you believe your child needs more behavior support, you can ask the IEP team to:
- Do a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
- Provide an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) with a behavior specialist
- Consider a different school placement or more intensive services
You are an equal part of the IEP team. You have the right to speak up, ask questions, and advocate for what your child needs, even if it’s not something the school typically offers.
Learn more
- Autism and behavioral concerns after hemispherectomy (Dr. Jay Salpekar, 2015, Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance)
- Behavior (Center for Parent Information and Resources)
- Behavior Intervention Plan (PBIS World)
- Behavior Management Strategies For Challenging Behaviors - The Parent Management Training Program (Holly Chalkwater, M.A., LPCC-S, 2019, Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance)
- Functional Behavioral Assessment and Positive Interventions: What Parents Need to Know (Dixie Jordan, Families of Advocates Partnership for Education)
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Epilepsy (Dr. Shafali Jeste, 2025, Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance)
- Observing Behavior Using A-B-C Data (Pratt & Dubie, 2022, Indiana Resource Center for Autism)
- What Is a Behavior Intervention Plan? (Gia Miller, Child Mind Institute)
- What is a Behavior Intervention Plan? (Understood)
- What is a functional behavioral assessment (FBA)? (Understood)
- What is a Functional Behavioral Assessment and How Is It Used? An Overview for Parents (PACER Center)
- Why Do Kids Act Out? Knowing the function of the problem behavior is the key to changing it (Gia Miller, Child Mind Institute)