Behavior Challenges and Support at School

When a child struggles with behavior at school, it can feel overwhelming and emotional for families. Behavior challenges often interfere with learning, relationships, and a child’s overall school experience. The good news is that schools are required to support students in ways that are proactive, respectful, and focused on helping children succeed rather than simply punishing behavior.

Understanding your rights and the tools available can make a big difference in how your child is supported at school.

Why Behavior Happens

Behavior is communication. When children act out, shut down, or struggle to regulate themselves, it is often because something in their environment, routine, or expectations is not working for them. This could include academic frustration, sensory overload, communication challenges, anxiety, or difficulty with transitions.

Rather than asking, “How do we stop this behavior?” a more helpful question is, “What is this behavior telling us about what my child needs?”

What Is a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)?

If behavior is interfering with learning, parents can request a Functional Behavior Assessment, often called an FBA. This is a process where school staff collect information about when, where, and why behaviors happen. The goal is to identify patterns and understand what the child is trying to communicate or achieve through the behavior.

An FBA may include observations, interviews with teachers and parents, and a review of school data. A strong assessment looks at both challenging moments and times when the child is successful so supports can be built around strengths as well as needs.

Parents have the right to ask who will conduct the assessment, what tools will be used, and how the results will be shared.

What Is a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)?

Once the school understands why a behavior is happening, the team can create a Behavior Intervention Plan, or BIP. A BIP is a written plan that outlines how staff will prevent problem behaviors and teach new, more appropriate skills.

Effective behavior plans focus on positive strategies, such as changing the environment, building routines, teaching coping skills, and reinforcing desired behaviors. They should clearly describe what staff will do, how progress will be measured, and when the plan will be reviewed.

A BIP should never rely primarily on punishment. Instead, it should help a child learn skills that make school feel safer, more predictable, and more manageable.

Seclusion and Restraint: What Parents Should Know

Some families discover that their child has been secluded or restrained at school during moments of crisis. These practices can be traumatic and are meant to be used only in emergencies when there is immediate danger of serious harm. Policies vary by state and district, so it is important to ask your school for written guidelines about their use.

Parents can and should discuss these practices during IEP meetings and request that behavior plans focus on prevention and de escalation strategies. If restraint or seclusion has occurred, families have the right to documentation and a team meeting to review what happened and how future incidents can be avoided.

Your Child’s Right to Support

Under special education law, students have the right to a free appropriate public education. That includes access to meaningful behavior supports when behavior interferes with learning. Schools are responsible for addressing behavior in ways that help children stay engaged in school, not exclude them from it.

Parents can request evaluations, team meetings, staff training, and changes to plans when current strategies are not working. You do not have to wait until behavior escalates to ask for help.

Final Thoughts

Behavior challenges are not a sign of bad parenting or a bad child. They are signals that something in the learning environment needs to change. With the right supports, most students can make meaningful progress in behavior, communication, and emotional regulation.

If your child is struggling at school, you are not alone, and you are not powerless.

Understanding tools like FBAs and BIPs and knowing your rights allows you to partner with your school team to create safer, more supportive learning environments where your child can thrive.