Scenario Response 6

When creating a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) plan for a student in the early language stage, cultural awareness is central to both understanding the root of behaviors and designing interventions that truly support the learner. In this case, the student is non-speaking and experiencing cultural shock. This means that silence or withdrawal may not be simple “non-compliance,” but instead a reflection of overwhelming adjustment, anxiety, or unfamiliarity with expectations in a new environment.

To integrate cross-cultural awareness, I would begin by gathering data not only on observable behaviors but also on the student’s cultural and linguistic background. This could include speaking with the family to understand norms for communication, behavior, and classroom participation in the home culture. For example, in some cultures, silence is a sign of respect rather than defiance. Knowing this would help avoid mislabeling the student’s actions.

Next, I would adjust environmental supports in ways that respect the student’s culture while encouraging gradual engagement. Visual supports, predictable routines, and peer-buddy systems can reduce cultural and linguistic barriers. Additionally, I would make space for the student’s home language in the classroom—through bilingual resources, gestures, or allowing a trusted peer who shares the same language to assist in transitions. These strategies align with FBA principles of identifying triggers, analyzing antecedents and consequences, and modifying the environment to promote positive behaviors.

Awareness of culture is important because behaviors never occur in a vacuum; they are shaped by values, norms, and lived experiences. If we only view behavior through a mainstream lens, we risk misinterpreting actions and implementing plans that alienate the student further. By embedding cultural understanding in the FBA, we not only move the student toward positive behaviors but also affirm their identity, reduce feelings of isolation, and strengthen the classroom community.