What is a behavior intervention plan (BIP)?

Quick answer

A behavior intervention plan, or BIP, sometimes called a positive behavior intervention plan, or PBIP, lists strategies to prevent problem behavior, teach replacement skills, and respond safely when behavior occurs. It should be based on FBA data and included in or attached to the IEP when behavior is a need.

What this means for parents

A good BIP is a teaching plan, not a list of punishments.

• Preventive strategies change triggers, such as breaks, visual schedules, or modified tasks.
• Replacement behaviors are taught explicitly, such as asking for help or using a calm-down strategy.
• Crisis responses should protect safety while minimizing lost learning time.
• Staff training and consistency across settings are essential.
• The team should review BIP data regularly and revise strategies that are not working.

Questions to ask about a BIP

Read the plan with an eye toward daily implementation.

1. What preventive strategies will adults use before behavior escalates?
2. What replacement skill is being taught, and how is progress measured?
3. Who is trained on the BIP, and how will substitutes be informed?
4. How does the BIP apply on the bus, playground, and transitions?
5. How often will behavior data be reviewed with parents?

Simple parent script

Common mistakes to avoid

• Accepting a BIP that only describes consequences.
• Not ensuring the BIP is shared with all staff who work with the child.
• Letting the plan sit unchanged while behavior stays the same.
• Assuming a BIP replaces needed counseling or communication supports.
• Forgetting to connect the BIP to IEP goals and accommodations.

When to get more help

Consider getting help when the school will not create a BIP after an FBA, the BIP is not implemented, or discipline continues despite an existing plan.