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Observing Behavior Using A-B-C Data: Dr. Cathy Pratt, BCBA-D and Melissa Dubie, M.Ed

The document discusses ABC data collection, which is an assessment tool used to gather information about the antecedents, behaviors, and consequences surrounding problem behaviors. ABC data involves directly observing and recording situational factors before, during, and after behaviors occur. An example of ABC data is provided showing the antecedents, behaviors, and consequences when a child is asked to stop playing on the computer. Analyzing ABC data can provide insights into patterns and functions of behavior to develop positive behavior support plans.

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63 views

Observing Behavior Using A-B-C Data: Dr. Cathy Pratt, BCBA-D and Melissa Dubie, M.Ed

The document discusses ABC data collection, which is an assessment tool used to gather information about the antecedents, behaviors, and consequences surrounding problem behaviors. ABC data involves directly observing and recording situational factors before, during, and after behaviors occur. An example of ABC data is provided showing the antecedents, behaviors, and consequences when a child is asked to stop playing on the computer. Analyzing ABC data can provide insights into patterns and functions of behavior to develop positive behavior support plans.

Uploaded by

abhisek siddanthapu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Observing Behavior Using A-B-C Data

By: Dr. Cathy Pratt, BCBA-D and Melissa Dubie, M.Ed.

All members of the student’s individualized education program (IEP) can observe
behavior to learn about patterns and functions of behavior. Everyone who observes
behavior probably looks for similar characteristics of autism spectrum disorders (e.g.,
communication challenges, social deficits, restricted area of interests, sensory
needs, etc.) and the impact on behavior. How information is gathered may be
different for each person collecting the data and depending on the complexity of the
situation. One format involves directly observing and recording situational factors
surrounding a problem behavior using an assessment tool called ABC data
collection. An ABC data form is an assessment tool used to gather information that
should evolve into a positive behavior support plan. ABC refers to:

• Antecedent- the events, action, or circumstances that occur before a


behavior.
• Behavior- The behavior.
• Consequences- The action or response that follows the behavior.

The following is an example of ABC data collection. ABC is considered a direct


observation format because you have to be directly observing the behavior when it
occurs. Typically it is a format that is used when an external observer is available
who has the time and ability to observe and document behaviors during specified
periods of the day. It is time and personnel intensive. From this data, we can see that
when Joe is asked to end an activity he is enjoying (we know that he enjoys playing
computer games), he screams, refuses to leave, and ignores. We also can see that
the response to Joe’s refusal consists mostly of empty threats. If we follow Joe
throughout the day, we may find that he is asked repeatedly to follow diections. In
addition, the data reveals that Joe’s family uses threats that are not followed through.
Joe has learned that persistence, ignoring, and refusal will wear parents down.

Antecedent Behavior Consequence


Joe screams, "NO!"
Parent asks Joe to stop Parent tells Joe to leave the
and refuses to leave
playing on the computer. computer again.
the computer.
Parent starts counting to 10 as
Parent tells Joe to leave the Joe again refuses to
a warning to get off the
computer. leave.
computer.
Parent starts counting to 10 Joe does not move Parent finishes counting to 10
as a warning to get off the from the computer and again warns him to get off
computer. station. the computer.
Parent finishes counting to Joe stays at the Parent threatens that Joe lose
10 and again warns him to computer and refuses computer privileges in the
get off the computer. to leave. future.
Parent threatens that the Joe Joe ignores and The parent count to 10 again
will lose computer privileges continues working on and again threatens future
in the future. the computer. computer use.
The parent counts to 10 Joe ignores and
The parent becomes angry and
again and again threatens continues computer
leaves the room.
future computer use use.

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