What Is a BIP in ABA? Key Concepts and Examples

BIP in ABA Therapy: What It Is and Why It’s Important

Challenging behaviors such as aggression, running away, or tantrums can make it hard for kids to learn, follow routines, and build social skills. These behaviors can also be stressful for families, teachers, and therapists.

That’s where a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) helps. A BIP is a plan created to reduce problem behaviors and teach better ways to act.

This blog will help you understand what a BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan) is and why it’s important. You'll learn who creates and uses these plans, what makes a good plan, and see examples of BIPs in action. Plus, we’ll show you how tools like Theralytics can make creating and managing BIPs much easier.

What Is a BIP in ABA?

A Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is a written plan created after something called a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA). The BIP explains how to handle problem behaviors and teach positive, helpful behaviors instead.

BIPs are:

• Individualized for each child’s needs
• Based on data about why the behavior happens
• Proactive by focusing on teaching new skills 
• Reactive by implementing strategies to address challenges as they arise
• Used in homes, schools, and therapy settings

Why Are BIPs Important?

If problem behaviors are ignored, they can cause:

• Safety risks for the child and others
• Problem behaviors may spread to other environments
• Missed learning opportunities
• Stress for caregivers and teachers

A strong BIP:

• Gives clear steps for handling behaviors
• Ensures consistency across home, school, and therapy
• Uses positive strategies to encourage growth
• Uses reactive strategies to help navigate challenging situations

In schools, BIPs are often part of an IEP (Individualized Education Program) and follow rules under the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

Who Creates and Uses a BIP?

• BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts) or clinical supervisors write the BIP based on FBA results.
• RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians), teachers, parents, and support staff use the BIP to help the child.

Key Tip: Consistency is key, everyone should use the same strategies for the best results.

What Makes a Good BIP?

A strong BIP includes:

• Basic Info: Child’s name, date, and team members
• Background Info: Any historical/therapeutic information that is important for staff to be aware of for the BIP.
• Precursor Behaviors: What behaviors typically occur or act as warning signs for more challenging behaviors (e.g., children may start pacing the room before they try to run away or become physically aggressive)
• Target Behaviors: What behaviors need to change, described clearly
• Behavior Function: Why the behavior happens (e.g., to avoid tasks, get attention, or for sensory reasons)
• Setting Events: These are conditions or circumstances that make problem behavior more or less likely to occur, even though they don’t immediately trigger it.
• Triggers/Antecedents: These are immediate events that start the behavior right then and there.
• Prevention Strategies: Ways to stop the behavior before it starts, like:
  
  • Visual schedules
  • Clear rules
  • Transition warnings
• Replacement Behaviors: New, positive actions to teach, such as:
  
  • Asking for breaks instead of hitting
  • Using coping tools
• Reinforcements: Rewards for good behavior, like:
  
  • Token systems
  • Praise
  • Small prizes
• Consequence Strategies: Steps to take after a behavior, like:
  
  • Ignoring tantrums (planned ignoring)
  • Redirecting the child
• Data Collection: Tools to track how often the behavior happens
• Safety Plans: Directions for handling dangerous situations, if needed
• Review Schedule: When the team will check and update the plan

How to Create a BIP: Step-by-Step

1. Do an FBA 

• Watch the behavior in action.
• Talk to caregivers and staff.
• Collect data on what happens before and after the behavior.

2. Find the Function 

• Figure out why the behavior is happening based on observation and interview results.

3. Write the Plan 

• Build strategies to address the function of the behavior.
• Include new skills to teach that are functionally equivalent to the challenging behavior. This means the new skills being taught should access the same reinforcement as the challenging behaviors. 
  
  • Example: A child typically screams in order to gain access to attention. Now we will teach them how to raise their hand or appropriately request attention from others. 

4. Train the Team 

• Share the plan with caregivers and staff.
• Practice using the strategies.

5. Use the Plan 

• Stay consistent across all settings.

6. Track and Update 

• Collect data to see how well the plan is working.
• Procedural fidelity and interobserver agreement check-ins
• Make changes if needed.

Examples of BIPs

Example 1: Aggression to Avoid Work

Before the BIP:

• The child hits the teacher during math and gets out of doing the worksheet.

After the BIP:

• The team learns the child is trying to avoid math (function: escape).
• The child is taught to ask for a break using a visual card (replacement behavior).
• Teachers use a “first, then” board and shorter work times.
• The result: Aggression goes down, and break requests go up.

Example 2: Tantrums for Attention

Before the BIP:

• The child screams during group time to get attention, and staff respond immediately.

After the BIP:

• The team learns the child is seeking attention (function: attention).
• The child is taught to raise their hand or use a communication device (replacement behavior).
• Staff ignore the tantrums and reward appropriate requests for attention.
• The result: Fewer tantrums, better communication.

How to Track and Update a BIP

• Collect data on how often the behavior happens.
• Conduct procedural fidelity and interobserver agreement check-ins in order to ensure all staff are running programs and interventions correctly and recording data accurately.
• Review the plan weekly or every other week.
• Update the plan if:
  
  • The behavior isn’t improving.
  • New behaviors appear.
  • The child’s situation changes.

Remember: A BIP is a flexible tool that should grow with the child’s needs.

How Theralytics Makes BIPs Easier

Theralytics is a platform that helps ABA professionals with every part of the BIP process. It includes:

• Behavior Data Tools: To collect and review ABC data.
• Collaboration Features: To share plans with team members.
• Progress Tracking: To visualize improvements over time.
• Templates for BIPs: To save time and reduce paperwork.
• Compliance Tools: To ensure accurate records for audits.

With Theralytics, BCBAs can spend less time on paperwork and more time helping kids.

Final Thoughts

A Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is more than a document; it’s a tool to help make real changes. It teaches kids new skills, supports caregivers, and helps create safer, more positive environments. 

If you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist, knowing how BIPs work is super important for making ABA therapy more effective. 

Want to make creating BIPs easier? See how Theralytics can help your team today!