When to Review Your Behavior Intervention Plan Approach

Developing an effective behavior intervention plan (BIP) is a core component of behavior analysis, especially when supporting individuals whose behaviors interfere with learning, relationships, or overall well-being. But just as people grow and circumstances evolve, so too must our strategies. A BIP should never be a static document—it is a living, adaptable framework that reflects an individual’s current context, needs, and goals.

In the spirit of compassionate care and professional curiosity, knowing when to review and potentially revise your behavior intervention plan approach is just as important as designing the initial plan.

Understanding the Purpose of a BIP

Before diving into the “when,” it’s vital to re-center on the “why.”

A behavior intervention plan serves multiple purposes:

It provides a roadmap for reducing behaviors that impede learning or safety.
It outlines proactive strategies, teaching procedures, and reinforcement systems.
It safeguards the dignity and autonomy of the person it supports.
It aligns all stakeholders—teachers, therapists, caregivers, families—with a shared, consistent approach.

Ideally, a BIP is based on a robust functional behavior assessment (FBA), which identifies the function of the behavior and informs the interventions selected. But as we know, human behavior is dynamic. What worked last month may not work now. Circumstances shift. New stressors emerge. Skills develop. Therefore, review is not only inevitable—it’s essential.

Signs It’s Time to Revisit the BIP

1. Lack of Progress or Regression

Perhaps the most obvious signal is a lack of measurable progress toward the goals outlined in the plan. If the behavior continues at the same frequency or intensity—or worse, has regressed—it’s time to ask deeper questions:

Is the hypothesized function still accurate?
Have there been environmental changes affecting behavior?
Are the replacement skills meaningful and achievable?

Sometimes, even when data indicates stability, it may reflect a plateau that warrants intervention tweaks to move forward again.

2. Change in Environment or Context

Life rarely stands still. Transitions such as changing classrooms, moving homes, shifts in caregivers, or new peer groups can drastically impact how and why behaviors occur. A BIP created in one context may no longer be suitable when the surroundings change. In such cases:

Reassess the antecedents and consequences that are now in play.
Involve new stakeholders in discussions to maintain consistency.
Ensure the interventions remain culturally and contextually relevant.

3. New Behaviors Emerge

Behavior is a form of communication. When new behaviors develop—especially those that are disruptive, harmful, or unexpected—it may indicate that the current plan isn’t fully addressing the individual’s needs. This doesn’t necessarily mean the plan failed, but it might be incomplete.

Revisiting the BIP allows for:

Expanding the functional assessment.
Incorporating additional supports or skill-building components.
Adapting reinforcement strategies to match new goals.

4. Stakeholder Feedback Indicates Difficulty or Concern

Teachers, parents, paraprofessionals, or therapists may express that the plan is difficult to implement, unclear, or misaligned with day-to-day realities. Their feedback is not a criticism—it’s an invitation to collaborate.

Behavior plans must be practical and implementable, not just idealistic. Reviewing the BIP with these stakeholders can surface important truths:

Are the procedures feasible given the resources available?
Do staff feel adequately trained?
Are caregivers seeing different behaviors in other environments?

Their lived experience can point to gaps between theory and practice.

5. Ethical or Philosophical Shifts

As behavior analysts and related professionals grow in experience and engage with diverse communities, many begin to reexamine aspects of their approach through an ethical or trauma-informed lens.

Maybe there’s a growing discomfort with extinction practices. Perhaps the client has begun expressing their own wants more clearly, prompting a need to center their voice. Or maybe the plan’s goals feel misaligned with the individual’s long-term autonomy.

Taking the time to reflect on the ethical grounding of the BIP is not only appropriate—it’s a demonstration of integrity. Ask:

Does this plan respect the individual’s agency and dignity?
Are there more compassionate, collaborative methods available?
Is this plan something I’d feel comfortable using with someone I love?

Best Practices for Ongoing BIP Review

Knowing when to review is one thing. Knowing how to do so meaningfully is equally important. Here are several best practices to guide your process:

Establish a Regular Review Schedule

Don’t wait for problems to arise. Proactively schedule BIP reviews every 6–12 weeks, depending on the intensity of the behaviors and complexity of the interventions. Include time for:

Reviewing data trends.
Gathering qualitative input from caregivers, staff, and (when possible) the client.
Reflecting on progress toward goals.

Use a Collaborative Framework

The best plans are co-created. When reviewing a BIP, bring everyone to the table:

Teachers and aides who see the behavior daily.
Caregivers who provide critical context outside formal settings.
The individual themselves, when age and ability allow.

This ensures shared ownership and helps identify blind spots in implementation.

Incorporate the Client’s Voice

Especially with neurodivergent individuals or those with communication challenges, we must go beyond observation. Seek out ways to hear from the person the plan is designed to support:

Use visual aids or AAC devices to check their comfort and understanding.
Invite preferences and goals from the person directly.
Reflect on their quality of life, not just compliance metrics.

A plan that honors the client’s voice will always be more sustainable.

Be Open to Discarding What Doesn’t Serve

Not every strategy needs to be “fixed.” Some may need to be retired altogether. If a strategy consistently causes distress, requires high effort with minimal benefit, or is rooted in outdated assumptions, let it go and replace it with something better informed by the current moment.

Remember, fidelity to the client’s needs matters more than fidelity to the plan.

When It’s Working: Still Reflect

It’s easy to assume that if behavior is improving, the plan is perfect. But even success warrants examination. Ask yourself:

What conditions led to this success? Can they be maintained?
Is the plan ready for fading procedures or generalization?
Can we shift from external reinforcement to more intrinsic motivation?

Success is a bridge, not a destination. Reviewing a working BIP ensures it evolves toward long-term independence and fulfillment for the client.

Embracing Growth as a Professional

Reviewing your BIP approach isn’t just a technical task—it’s a reflection of your values. When you pause to ask whether your plan is working, whether it’s kind, and whether it’s aligned with your client’s evolving needs, you demonstrate:

Professional humility.
A growth-oriented mindset.
Deep respect for the individuals and families you serve.

This is especially vital in today’s landscape, where the field of Applied Behavior Analysis is increasingly challenged to embrace interdisciplinary insights, person-centered frameworks, and inclusive practices. It is no longer enough to know the science—we must practice it with heart.

Join a Community That Prioritizes Compassionate, Evidence-Based Practice

At the Do Better Collective, we understand that continual learning, self-reflection, and ethical growth are the hallmarks of a truly effective professional. That’s why we’ve created a space where behavior analysts and professionals from across disciplines can connect, question, and grow together.

Whether you’re just beginning your career or are a seasoned practitioner seeking renewal, the Do Better Collective offers:

Engaging continuing education experiences.
Access to a vibrant, inclusive network of professionals.
Courageous conversations around ethics, diversity, and evidence-based change.
Curated resources to help you refine your craft and support others more meaningfully.

Let your next BIP review be the start of a larger journey toward better practice, not just better plans. Because when we do better, they do better.

Ready to review your behavior intervention plan approach with more insight, connection, and care? Join the Do Better Collective today.