ABC data
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ABC data is a record of what happened just before a behavior (antecedent), the behavior itself, and what happened right after (consequence).
Topic: Measurement and data collection
In plain terms
Each time the target behavior happens, the observer writes the antecedent, the behavior and the consequence, plus the time and setting. Over several incidents, patterns appear: the behavior might follow hard tasks, transitions or being told no, and might be followed by escape, attention or getting an item. Those patterns point to the function of the behavior.
How it shows up in an IEP
ABC data is a core part of a functional behavior assessment and helps the team choose a replacement behavior that meets the same need. It should be objective: "was asked to start the math page" rather than "was being defiant."
Example
Over two weeks, 9 of 11 recorded incidents of a student tearing paper follow a writing task, and in each the task is removed. The team hypothesizes the behavior functions as escape.
Related terms
- AntecedentAn antecedent is what happens right before a behavior, such as a direction, a transition or a hard task, that can trigger it.
- FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment)An FBA is a process for figuring out why a behavior happens, by studying when it occurs, what triggers it and what it gets or avoids for the student.
- Function of behaviorThe function of a behavior is the purpose it serves for the student, usually to get something or to escape or avoid something.
- Target behaviorA target behavior is the specific behavior chosen to measure and change, defined clearly enough that anyone could count it.
- Operational definitionAn operational definition describes a behavior in observable, measurable terms, so different people would agree on whether it happened.
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