6.2 Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) and Implementation Rules

Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) and Implementation Rules

Once a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) identifies the maintaining function of a target challenging behavior, the supervising Qualified Behavior Analyst (QBA) or BCBA constructs a formal Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). A BIP is an individualized, evidence-based document that translates assessment data into concrete clinical strategies. The ultimate goal of a BIP is twofold: to reduce target challenging behaviors and to teach socially valid, functional replacement behaviors. For an Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT), precise execution of a BIP requires an in-depth understanding of its core structural components, antecedent modifications, replacement behavior instruction, and strict adherence to treatment integrity (procedural fidelity).

---

Essential Components of a Behavior Intervention Plan

A comprehensive, ethically compliant BIP contains several mandatory sections:

1. Client Identifying Information & History: Demographic details, relevant medical background, and safety considerations.
2. Operational Definitions of Target Behaviors: Precise, observable descriptions of behaviors targeted for reduction.
3. FBA Summary & Functional Hypothesis: Brief overview of maintaining functions (SEAT) identified during assessment.
4. Antecedent (Proactive) Strategies: Environmental adjustments designed to prevent target behavior from occurring.
5. Replacement Behaviors (FERB): Functional skills taught to replace the challenging behavior.
6. Consequence (Reactive) Strategies: Specific protocols for responding when target or replacement behaviors occur.
7. Crisis Management Protocol: Step-by-step safety measures for high-risk, dangerous behaviors.
8. Data Collection & Progress Monitoring: Data collection methods (e.g., frequency, duration, IRT) and supervisor review schedules.

---

Operational Definitions and the Dead Man's Test

To ensure high inter-observer agreement (IOA) across all team members, target behaviors must be operationally defined. An operational definition describes the topography (what the behavior looks like) in objective terms, eliminating vague descriptors such as "angry," "defiant," or "frustrated."

The Three Criteria for Operational Definitions

• Objective: Refers only to observable features of the behavior and environment. Avoids inferring internal mental states.
• Clear: Unambiguous and readable so that a new technician can read the definition and accurately record the behavior without prior training.
• Complete: Specifies precise onset and offset boundaries, detailing exactly what constitutes an instance and what is excluded.

The Dead Man's Test

Originating from Ogden Lindsley, the Dead Man's Test is a classic behavior analytic rule of thumb: "If a dead man can do it, it is not behavior."

• Fails Dead Man's Test: "Client sits quietly and does not talk back." (A dead man can sit quietly and not talk back; this describes a non-event or passive state).
• Passes Dead Man's Test: "Client raises hand and utters words at a volume audible from 5 feet away within 5 seconds of teacher question." (Requires active motor/vocal engagement that a dead man cannot execute).

---

Proactive (Antecedent) Strategies

Antecedent strategies are proactive interventions implemented before the target behavior occurs. They modify the environment or alter Motivating Operations (MO) to make target behaviors less likely to occur.

Key Antecedent Procedures

1. Non-Contingent Reinforcement (NCR): The maintaining reinforcer is delivered on a time-based schedule (e.g., Fixed-Time 5 minutes) regardless of what the client is doing. Because the reinforcer is available freely and regularly, the Establishing Operation (EO) for the problem behavior is abated (satiation).

   • Example: For attention-maintained property destruction, staff deliver 15 seconds of high-quality praise every 4 minutes non-contingently.

2. High-Probability (High-p) Request Sequence: The technician presents 3 to 5 simple, high-compliance tasks that the client historically completes easily, offering immediate praise after each, before presenting a low-probability (low-p) target task. This builds behavioral momentum.

   • Example: "Touch your nose! Give me a high-five! Clap your hands! Now open your math book."

3. Choice-Making: Providing structured options regarding task order, seating, materials, or break timing increases client autonomy and decreases escape-maintained behavior.

   • Example: "Would you like to complete the red worksheet first or the blue worksheet first?"

4. Demand Fading & Environmental Modification: Temporarily reducing task difficulty, length, or pace, then systematically increasing demands as tolerance develops.

---

Functionally Equivalent Replacement Behaviors (FERB)

A fundamental ethical rule in behavior reduction is that a challenging behavior must never be targeted for reduction without simultaneously teaching a replacement behavior. The replacement behavior must be a Functionally Equivalent Replacement Behavior (FERB).

Selection Rules for FERBs

1. Functional Equivalence: The replacement behavior must access the exact same reinforcer/function as the target behavior (e.g., if aggression serves an escape function, the FERB must yield escape).
2. Response Effort: The replacement behavior must require equal or less physical effort than the target problem behavior.
3. Efficiency of Reinforcement: The replacement behavior must produce the reinforcer faster, more consistently, and at a higher magnitude than the challenging behavior.

Functional Communication Training (FCT)

Functional Communication Training (FCT) is the primary evidence-based methodology used to establish FERBs. FCT involves teaching a vocal, sign, picture exchange (PECS), or AAC device communication response to request the maintaining reinforcer.

• Clinical Scenario: A client hits staff to escape difficult handwriting tasks. FCT teaches the client to hand a card reading "BREAK PLEASE" to the technician. Contingent on handing the card, the demand is instantly removed for 60 seconds.

---

Consequence Strategies and Treatment Integrity

Consequence strategies define how interventionists must respond when the client engages in either the replacement behavior or the target challenging behavior.

• For FERB / Replacement Behavior: Immediate, continuous (FR1), high-magnitude reinforcement is delivered.
• For Target Challenging Behavior: Extinction or differential reinforcement protocols are strictly enforced to ensure the problem behavior no longer produces reinforcement.

Maintaining Procedural Integrity (Treatment Fidelity)

Treatment integrity refers to the degree to which the BIP is implemented exactly as written across all sessions, environments, and staff members. Inconsistent implementation (procedural drift) can inadvertently place target behaviors on intermittent schedules of reinforcement, making them significantly harder to eliminate.

• ABAT Rule: Technicians must follow the BIP without taking shortcuts or modifying steps. If an antecedent strategy or consequence rule proves unworkable in the natural setting, the technician must contact the supervising QBA/BCBA immediately rather than altering the protocol independently.