Your FBA is a Fantasy!: A Guidebook to Creating Truly Trauma-Informed, Neuro-Affirming Functional Behavior Assessments & Behavior Support Plans - Softcover

Bowman, Doris; Bowman, Rick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0996223827 ISBN 13: 9780996223829

Publisher: Journey Books, LLC, 2025

Synopsis

"The Bowmans have written a book that bridges the gap between trauma theory and practical school-based application with rare depth and heart, providing a powerful guide for transforming how we understand and support students whose behaviors reflect deep nervous system distress. ...For those of us who understand trauma through the lens of embodiment and relational repair, this work is not only timely&mdash;it's essential."<br><b>&mdash; </b><b><i>Dr. Arielle Schwartz, PhD</i></b><i>, author of Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Practice and The Complex PTSD Workbook</i><br><br><b>Say goodbye to punishment- and contingency-based behavior plans and behavior interventions&mdash;and hello to plans that focus on root causes, and use neuroscience-aligned strategies for optimal outcomes!</b><br><br>Are you done chasing compliance?<br><br>Are you tired of behavior plans that don't actually <i>change</i> behavior?<br><br>Wish there was a practical, trauma-informed, neuro-affirming way to truly support your students&mdash;without outdated charts, generic strategies, or compliance-driven methods?<br><br><br><b>THIS IS THE BOOK & IMPLEMENTATION KIT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!&mdash;</b>A complete, neuroscience-aligned guide to understanding <i>why</i> students act out&mdash;and how to respond with compassion and confidence.<br><b>&mdash; COMBINED WITH A READY-TO-ROLL SYSTEM AND A PORTAL WITH 30+ TIME-SAVING TEMPLATES AND A VAST ARRAY OF TOOLS AND RESOURCES</b><br> <br><b>Whether you're a teacher, school psychologist, specialist, administrator, or counselor, this book gives you the tools to:</b><br> <br><ul> <li>Recognize signs of dysregulation, stress, and trauma in any student&mdash;and integrate trauma-informed responses across the <i>entire</i> school day, not just during "intervention time"</li></ul> <br><ul> <li>Build classroom and school-wide environments where <i>every</i> student&mdash;especially those with trauma histories or neurodivergence&mdash;can thrive</li></ul> <br><ul> <li>Conduct trauma-informed Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) of root causes&mdash;not just surface symptoms<i> (<b>stop chasing smoke and put out the fire!</b>)</i></li></ul> <br><ul> <li>Create strengths-based Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) that build skills, self-regulation, and relationships</li></ul> <br><b>Why This Book Stands Out:</b><br>Grounded in neuroscience, packed with real-world strategies, and written in clear, accessible language&mdash;this book bridges the gap between what <i>research tells us</i> and what <i>actually works</i> in today's classrooms.<br><br>This book isn't just for those who conduct the assessments and write the plans,<b> it's for ALL EDUCATORS</b> serving students who struggle in the classroom daily so that they can apporpriately be a source of healing, regulation, and ultimately <b>the bridge to learning for ALL THEIR STUDENTS.</b><br> <br><b>This is about connection, skill-building, and real behavior change.</b><br><b>All this, PLUS Portal access to:</b><br> <br><ul> <li><b>Downloadable templates and tools for every step of the process</b></li></ul> <br><ul> <li><b>Step-by-step implementation guides</b></li></ul> <br><ul> <li><b>Clear case examples from real schools</b><

About this title

About the Authors

Throughout a 20+ year career in special education, Doris has been a driving force in transforming how schools respond to students with chronic behavioral challenges and mental health needs. She has led top-tier district programs and restructured district systems for ED and OHI eligibility as well as FBAs and Behavior Plans, with a focus on building emotional, behavioral, social and self-regulation skills necessary for students to return to or remain in general education and thrive. Doris, along with her husband, Rick-nationally recognized as "Team Bowman" (https: //bowmanconsultgroup.com)-are sought-after keynote speakers, presenters, trainers and consultants, known for delivery of hope-filled professional development grounded in real, actionable strategies to reach students for whom solutions are often hardest to find. They have trained, coached, and volunteered internationally in locations such as Cuba, Russia, Jamaica, and Guatemala, broadening their perspective on resilience and healing. Their work in every form is not just theoretical - it is deeply personal, and intended to be practical, rooted in neuroscience, and designed for immediate impact. What fuels Doris's work is a relentless passion for equipping educators, parents and other professionals with trauma-informed, neuroscience-aligned practices that don't just "chase compliance" by temporarily managing behavior, but instead, truly transform lives of both youth and the adults who serve, care for, or educate them. Doris Bowman's qualifications include: - Licensed PreK - 21 Special Educator and Licensed Administrator- Graduate Certification - Applied Educational Neuroscience- Adv. Certified Trauma and Resilience Practitioner - Education and Clinical- Certified "The Resilient Heart" (HM) Trauma Program Professional- Certified HM "The Resilience Advantage" Trainer- Certified "Stress and Well-being Assessment" Provider (HM)- Certified Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) Trainer (MGH)

-- Rick Bowman brings a powerful combination of leadership, clinical expertise, and real-world experience to the field of special education. With a career spanning military service, business, mental health and education, he's held roles as Clinical Psychologist, Alternative School Director, Student Services Director, Assistant Principal and more-always at the forefront of serving youth with the most significant behavioral challenges. -- Rick, and his wife, Doris - nationally recognized as "Team Bowman" (https: //bowmanconsultgroup.com)-are sought-after keynote speakers, presenters, trainers and consultants, known for delivery of hope-filled professional development grounded in real, actionable strategies to reach students for whom solutions are often hardest to find. They have trained, coached, and volunteered internationally in locations such as Cuba, Russia, Jamaica, and Guatemala, broadening their perspective on resilience and healing. Their work in every form is not just theoretical - it is deeply personal, and intended to be practical, rooted in neuroscience, and designed for immediate impact. -- Rick's service extends beyond U.S. schools and agencies-he's trained, consulted and volunteered overseas in Russia, Cuba, Guatemala and Jamaica. He's also served as clinical consultant for mental health clinics, human service agencies, and for-profit corporations. -- Rick's passion? Equipping educators, parents and other professionals with proven approaches that don't just "manage" behavior but heal the nervous system and transform student lives and classroom dynamics. He understands the immense stress educators, parents and other professionals face working with youth in crisis, and is committed to ensuring you find the content they deliver to be empowering, hopeful and effective. Rick Bowman's qualifications include: -- PreK - 21 Licensed Administrator-- Certified Trauma and Resilience Practitioner - Clinical-- Certified "The Resilient Heart"(HM) Trauma Program Professional-- Certified HM "The Resilience Advantage" Trainer-- Certified Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) Trainer (MGH)

From the Back Cover

Behavior tells a story. Transform how you understand it—and respond with trauma-informed neuroscience-aligned strategies that truly work.

Far more than just a "how-to" guide for Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Support Plans, this book empowers educators in any role with the why—a clear, trauma-informed, neuroscience-aligned understanding of student behavior. Then empowers educators in any role with "the why"—a clear, trauma-informed, neuroscience-aligned understanding of student behavior. Then it delivers "the how" with a flexible, ready-to-use framework for applying that insight in every setting across the school day.

In the classroom, hallway, lunchroom, or team meeting—whether you're responsible to conduct the assessment and create the plan, or to implement the plan daily with the student—you'll be equipped to:

• Apply trauma-informed practices proactively and consistently—throughout the entire school day, not just in moments of crisis
• Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments that uncover the root causes of behavior
• Design effective, skills-based Behavior Support Plans that build regulation, connection, and lasting skills, not just attempting to reduce behavior
• Recognize and respond proactively to signs of stress, trauma, and dysregulation across all school settings
• Create inclusive environments where all students—including those with trauma or neurodivergence—can thrive

Grounded in neuroscience and real-world experience, this guide makes powerful, research-backed practices accessible for real-world implementation. It bridges the gap between understanding student needs and responding with interventions that truly work—without overwhelming staff or relying on outdated behavior charts and punishment-based methods.

Includes downloadable templates, planning tools, and sample interventions for immediate use—plus exclusive access to a comprehensive online Resource Portal filled with additional tools, extended guidance, recommended practices, and implementation supports to deepen your impact across all settings.

This is more than a book about behavior. It's a blueprint for reshaping how we see students—and how we support them to optimize their potential.

Edition details

• Publisher: Journey Books, LLC
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0996223827
• ISBN 13: 9780996223829
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 322
• Editor: McLean Marc