When we are working on figuring out the function of behavior to begin teaching a replacement behavior, your care team may ask you to take “ABC” data.
ABC data is short for “Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence” data. This data form outlines exactly what the behavior in question looks like, including what happened before and directly after. This allows the data to be analyzed to look for patterns that are clues to the function.
Antecedent: this is what happened before the behavior occurred. You can think of it as the “trigger” for the behavior.
- For example, you may record: “Mom asked Marcus to pick his clothes up and put them in the hamper.”
Behavior: this is what the actual behavior looked like. Try to keep this objective and descriptive. You want it to be as if an outsider could visualize the situation if they were not present.
- For example, you would avoid recording “Marcus was sad and angry” as sad and angry can vary across individuals. Instead, you might record something like “Marcus stared at Mom, cried with tears, slapped the doorframe and stomped his feet.”
Consequence: this is what happened immediately following the behavior. Although we tend to think of a consequence as a negative action, in ABA it is simply what happened following the behavior.
- To continue our example, you might record: “Mom reminded Marcus that he needs to pick up his clothes if he would like to play video games later. Marcus whined and picked up clothes.”
Additional Information: although it may not be the “reason” for a behavior, you may also choose to record any additional information you feel is relevant, such as a rough day at school, medication changes, or missing nap. These are factors that aren’t typically the direct cause of behavior but may lower the threshold for what your child tolerates.
- I’m sure you can think of plenty examples in your own life! If you slept poorly, skipped your coffee and then had to tolerate a rude person in line buying groceries, you may make a snarky comment (the behavior) to them.
- On a day where you slept great and had your morning coffee, you may let it slide and not make a comment. Although the lack of sleep and coffee were not the reason for you making a snarky comment, the circumstances lowered the threshold for what you can tolerate in that moment.
What if I’m not sure what the Antecedent was?
That’s okay! Simply record what you observed in the environment around you and your child. The antecedent does not have to be an action or request.
- For example: “Listening to music and dancing. Power shut off to whole house and music stopped.”
The box form listed above is the most common way we take ABC data, but you may also record as a narrative as long as all the components are included. When you have several ABC data points, your care team will work with you to determine the function of the behavior you are targeting. Knowing the function may change the recommended response in order to lower the likelihood of an undesirable behavior occurring again. You can also take ABC data to remember new behaviors that occur that you would like to discuss with the care team.