Target behavior
Last updated
A target behavior is the specific behavior chosen to measure and change, defined clearly enough that anyone could count it.
Topic: Behavior and FBA/BIP
In plain terms
A target behavior can be one to increase, like raising a hand or starting work, or one to decrease, like hitting or leaving the classroom. It should be observable and described in an operational definition. Teams usually focus on a few target behaviors at a time, choosing those that most affect safety, learning or relationships.
How it shows up in an IEP
The target behavior is the "what" in a behavior goal, and it decides the data method: frequency for brief behaviors, duration for long ones, latency for delays. Writing it the same way in the FBA, BIP and goal keeps data consistent.
Example
Instead of "aggression," the team targets "hitting: striking another person with an open or closed hand," counted per day with a frequency data sheet.
Related terms
- Operational definitionAn operational definition describes a behavior in observable, measurable terms, so different people would agree on whether it happened.
- Replacement behaviorA replacement behavior is an appropriate skill taught to meet the same need as a problem behavior, so the student no longer needs the problem behavior.
- Event recording (frequency)Event recording is a way of collecting data by counting each time a behavior or skill happens during a set observation period.
- Duration recordingDuration recording measures how long a behavior lasts, from the moment it starts to the moment it ends.
- 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.
On IEP Atlas
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