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

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 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:

• Use trauma-informed practices proactively and consistently-not just in crisis
• Conduct trauma-informed FBAs that uncover the root causes of behavior
• Design effective, skills-based behavior support plans that build regulation and connection
• Recognize and respond to signs of stress, trauma, and dysregulation in any school setting
• Create behavior plans that build lasting skills, not just attempt to reduce behaviors
• Apply trauma-informed practices not just in intervention plans-but throughout the entire school day
• Create environments where all students, especially 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responding with interventions that truly work-without overwhelming staff or relying on outdated behavior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.

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)