In Applied Behavior Analysis, the function of behavior is the underlying need a behavior meets for a child, and identifying that function is the key to reducing challenging behaviors - because every behavior, even a difficult one, is the child's attempt to get something, avoid something, or communicate. Change the strategy a child has for meeting that need, and the challenging behavior fades on its own.
For parents on the Treasure Coast watching a child melt down, hit, or bolt, the behavior can feel random or defiant. It rarely is. Behind almost every challenging behavior is a reason that makes sense once you know how to look for it. ABA therapy is, at its core, the practice of looking for that reason and responding to it.
What does "the function of behavior" really mean?
Behavior analysts group the reasons behind behavior into a few common functions. A child usually acts to gain access to something they want, to escape or avoid something they do not want, to get attention or connection, or because the behavior itself feels good or provides sensory input.
Two children can do the exact same thing for completely different reasons. One child may throw a toy to get a parent to come over; another may throw the same toy to escape a task that feels too hard. The behavior looks identical, but the need driving it is opposite, and so is the solution. This is why ABA does not start by trying to stop a behavior. It starts by asking what the behavior is for.
Why is challenging behavior a form of communication?
When a child does not yet have the words, or the regulation, to express a need, behavior fills the gap. A tantrum, a shove, or running away is often the most effective tool the child currently has to say "I need help," "I am overwhelmed," or "I want that." Punishing the behavior without addressing the need usually pushes it to reappear in another form.
This communicative view matters especially for autistic children, who make up a growing share of the families we serve. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates that about 1 in 31 eight-year-old children in the United States has been identified with autism spectrum disorder, based on 2022 surveillance data (CDC, 2025). Many of these children have real needs and, at times, limited ways to communicate them, which is exactly the gap that thoughtful behavior support is designed to close. Understanding what modern, play-based ABA actually looks like helps parents see that the goal is teaching, not merely correcting.
How does ABA identify and change the function?
The process begins with careful observation, often through a functional behavior assessment. A behavior analyst and the team watch what happens right before a behavior, called the antecedent, and what happens right after, called the consequence. Patterns emerge: the behavior tends to appear during transitions, or when a demand is placed, or when attention is elsewhere.
Once the function is clear, the plan has two halves that work together:
1. Teach a replacement. The child learns a better, more effective way to meet the same need - asking for a break, requesting help, or using a word, sign, or picture to make a request.
2. Adjust the environment and responses. Adults change what happens before and after the behavior so the new, appropriate strategy works better than the old one.
The aim is never simply a quieter child. It is a child who can get their needs met in ways that work at home, at school, and in the community. Because this work is clinical and individualized, it is delivered through our BCBA-supervised ABA program, where a Board Certified Behavior Analyst designs and oversees the plan and adjusts it as the child grows.
What can families do at home?
Parents are the most important part of any behavior plan, because the child spends far more time at home than in any therapy session. The first shift is to move from asking "how do I stop this?" to asking "what is this behavior telling me?" That single question changes how a parent responds in the moment.
From there, our teams coach families to notice patterns, to teach and honor a replacement request, and to stay consistent so the child learns that the new strategy reliably works. Early, consistent support tends to produce the strongest gains, and the CDC encourages families to act early rather than wait when they have concerns about development. Our BCBA-supervised teams build these strategies to fit each family's real daily routines across Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Fort Pierce, so the progress made in session carries into the kitchen, the classroom, and the car.
Frequently asked questions
What is the function of behavior in ABA? The function is the underlying need a behavior meets for the child, usually gaining something, escaping something, seeking attention, or getting sensory input. ABA identifies that function first, because the same behavior can have different causes, and the right response depends entirely on the reason behind it.
Is challenging behavior really a form of communication? Very often, yes. When a child lacks the words or regulation to express a need, behavior becomes the tool they use to communicate it. Addressing the underlying message, rather than only the behavior, is what produces lasting change.
How does a behavior analyst figure out why my child acts a certain way? Through careful observation, often a functional behavior assessment, the analyst studies what happens right before and right after the behavior. Those patterns reveal the function, which then guides an individualized plan to teach a better way to meet the same need.
Will ABA just try to make my child stop the behavior? No. Modern, play-based ABA focuses on teaching a replacement skill and adjusting the environment so the child can meet their need appropriately. The behavior fades because the child has a better option, not because it was simply suppressed.
Can parents learn to use these strategies at home? Yes, and it is essential. Our teams coach parents to spot patterns, teach replacement requests, and respond consistently, so the same approach used in therapy carries over into everyday routines at home and in the community.
Talk to our team about your child's behavior
If your child's challenging behavior feels confusing or overwhelming, there is usually a reason behind it, and it can be addressed. Contact Vero Pediatric Therapy Services to schedule an ABA consultation and talk through a plan built around your child.
About the authors
Vero Pediatric Therapy Services is a private-pay, family-centered pediatric therapy practice serving families across the Treasure Coast, including Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Fort Pierce in Indian River and St. Lucie Counties, Florida. Our clinical team includes licensed pediatric Occupational Therapists and BCBA-supervised ABA professionals who deliver evidence-based care built around each child's goals and each family's daily life. We believe therapy should work where children actually live, in classrooms, kitchens, and playgrounds, and we build our plans accordingly.