What Is a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)?

“ABA”, “BCBA”, “RBT”, “BIP”… What do all those letters even mean?!

Whether you’re new to the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) world or not, you may be swimming in a variety of unfamiliar acronyms. This post is dedicated to breaking down a common acronym you may hear frequently: BIP, which stands for Behavior Intervention Plan (sometimes referred to as a Behavior Support Plan, or BSP). 

Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) are the plans that support reducing challenging behavior over time. The behaviors targeted for reduction are typically referred to as challenging or maladaptive behavior (although there are other terms BCBAs may use). Maladaptive behaviors are chosen by the BCBA alongside your family based on safety, impact to your family and child, and observations. Common examples include kicking, screaming, scratching, and headbanging, but really could include any challenging behavior that impedes learning or progress in any way. So the BIP is the individualized plan for your child to help systematically reduce the selected challenging behavior(s). The ABA team focuses on reducing these behaviors in order to improve your child’s ability to learn, increase opportunities to participate in school or extracurricular activities, communicate, be independent, and build social relationships. 

The BIP summarizes information and data collected on the chosen challenging behavior(s). The information is typically detailed, including specifics about what circumstances of when the behavior(s) typically occurs, what to do to attempt to avoid the challenging behavior(s), and what to do when your child does engage in those behaviors.

How is the plan developed? 

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will spend time with your child and use the information they learn through various assessments and analysis to develop a plan. The plan will outline a variety of strategies using behavioral principles based on the hypothesized reason your child is engaging in the challenging behavior(s). For example, if the assessments suggest your child throws items and screams to communicate they want to be done with an activity, specific instructions will be part of the plan to teach other appropriate ways to end an activity.  

All of the ABA team members (including Registered Behavior Technicians, RBTs) will have access to the plan and work with your child by implementing what the plan outlines. The BCBA for your child will train and support them to be able to collect data and implement the plan consistently. The RBTs also have regular contact with the BCBA to report any new variables that may arise so the BCBA can modify the plan as appropriate. The data collected help the BCBA analyze the effectiveness of the plan in order to assess and track progress.  

The ABA team aren’t the only ones implementing the BIP though– as a parent, your role is to work with the BCBA to provide thoughts and feedback on the current plan, and implement the plan to the best of your abilities at home and in the community. When everyone on the team works together and is consistent, it’s easier to assess whether the plan is working or whether to course correct. 

What is your role as a parent? 

• Ask questions. If you’re unsure of something in the plan, ask! Your understanding is key in the success of the plan long-term. 

• Practice at home. Consistency across locations supports effectiveness and analysis of the plan. 

• Ask for support. If you need help, ask for it! You can even ask to observe the plan being implemented. 

• Share updates with the BCBA. Any insight and thoughts you have can help the BCBA continue to monitor and update the plan to work for your child and family.

Author: Valerie Zimmerman, MS, BCBA

Vice President of Clinical, Quality and Outcomes at Mindcolor Autism