ABC chart
This form is designed to initially record baseline information for inappropriate, challenging or problematic behaviours.
A functional analysis is required to determine the reason for a behaviour. For example, a client may display challenging behaviour for a variety of reasons:
- to get something they are not allowed
- when asked to do something they do not want to do
- when unable to communicate what they want
- to get attention
- for self-stimulation.
Baseline information is required for a clinical psychologist to determine what the function of the behaviour is before any intervention can be designed. Intervention without knowing the function of the behaviour is not advised. The form should be available at all times and the person observing the behaviour should record it immediately (or as soon as possible following the event) to ensure accurate data collection.
You need to record the following observations
Antecedent
This is the thing that happens immediately before the behaviour occurs e.g.staff/key worker/carer says “no, you can’t have sweets”.
You should include information on:
- Setting: This is the environment where the behaviour takes place, e.g. a room in the home, in the common room at the day centre, in the car, etc.
- Activity: This is the task or activity the client is engaged in prior to the behaviour, e.g. transitioning from one activity to another (specify activities), engaging with other service users, eating dinner, etc.
Behaviour
This should define exactly the form the behaviour takes e.g. client shouts and refuses. You could include information on:
- Frequency: record exactly how many times the behaviour occurs e.g. hits head with fist three times.
- Duration: If frequency is an inappropriate measure then record the overall duration (time) of the behaviour e.g. cried for five minutes.
Intensity
A measure of how intense the behaviour is on a scale of 1-5 e.g. hit staff very hard, intensity=5.
Consequence
This is the thing that happens immediately after the behaviour occurs e.g.carer gives in to request for sweets, TV turned off, client is re-directed to another activity.
|
Name: |
Antecedent |
Behaviour |
Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Date: ____________________ Time:____________________ Observer:_________________ |
|
|
|
|
Date: ____________________ Time:____________________ Observer:_________________ |
|
|
|
|
Date: ____________________ Time:____________________ Observer:_________________ |
|
|
|
|
Date: ____________________ Time:____________________ Observer:_________________ |
|
|
|
|
Date: ____________________ Time:____________________ Observer:_________________ |
|
|
|
|
Date: ____________________ Time:____________________ Observer:_________________ |
|
|
|
|
Date: ____________________ Time:____________________ Observer:_________________ |
|
|
|
|
Date: ____________________ Time:____________________ Observer:_________________ |
|
|
|