Victor – Problem Analysis Behavior Case Study
Victor was referred by Mrs. Jones because of her concerns with his low rate of compliance. She
identified following directions within 10 seconds of a given instruction or command as the
desired replacement behavior for Victor. His difficulties with compliance are interfering with his
ability to follow directions, to remain on task and to receive the necessary amount of academic
engaged time. His difficulties with compliance are also interfering with his ability to acquire
skills such as learning his letters and writing his name. Baseline data were collected on Victor’s
rate of compliance with the following result: Victor’s rate of compliance was 27%, the peer’s
rate of compliance was 42% and the teacher expectation was 75%.
After conducting a gap analysis, it was determined that a significant gap existed between Victor
and the expected level of performance. In addition, gaps between Victor and his peers and the
peers and the expected level of performance were found. Therefore, the instruction in the
classroom was considered ineffective and a Tier I intervention was attempted.
Assume that the Tier I intervention was effective for Victor’s peers, but not Victor. Also assume
that Victor’s cumulative records indicate that he has good attendance and no known health
issues. Therefore, Tier I hypotheses explaining why Victor is not complying at the desired rate
were rejected. Tier II problem analysis is now required. What would be an appropriate Tier II
hypothesis? What would the prediction statement, assessment question and data collection look
like for the hypothesis you develop?
Hypothesis
Prediction Statement Assessment Question
RIOTS Data
Victor is not complying
with teacher requests
within 10 seconds 75% of
the time because he
requires 30 minutes of
additional social skills
instruction per day
If Victor receives 30
minutes of additional
social skills instruction per
day, then he will comply
with teacher requests
within 10 seconds 75% of
the time
Review intervention
options
Interview teacher
Is 30 minutes of additional
social skills instruction per
day available?
Now that you have completed Tier II problem analysis, assume that the Tier II interventions
implemented did not increase Victor’s rate of compliance. Therefore, he will need to be moved
to Tier III. Before implementing Tier III interventions, you and a team of individuals will need to
meet to develop more idiosyncratic hypotheses for why the replacement behavior is not
occurring (i.e., Tier III problem analysis). Use the following worksheet to develop hypotheses,
prediction statements, assessment questions, and RIOTS data collection procedures to help
explain why Victor is not complying with teacher requests at an acceptable level.
Tier III Problem Analysis Worksheet
Student Name: Victor____________________
Replacement
Behavior
Hypothesis
Prediction Statement
Assessment Question
RIOTS Data Collection
Victor is unable to
comply with teacher
requests within 10
seconds at least 75%
of the time because…
he does not receive a 3:1
ratio of positive to negative
reinforcement
If Victor is exposed to a 3:1
ratio of reinforcement to
punishment, then he will
comply with requests within 10
seconds 75% of the time
If Victor does not receive
positive reinforcement from
peers, then he will comply with
requests within 10 seconds 75%
of the time
If Victor’s teacher does not
positively reinforce noncompliant behaviors, then he
will comply with requests
within 10 seconds 75% of the
time
If Victor receives consistent
consequences for noncompliant behaviors, then he
will comply with requests
within 10 seconds 75% of the
time
If the curriculum matches
Victor’s instructional level,
then he will comply with
requests within 10 seconds 75%
of the time
Does Victor receive less
than a 3:1 ratio of
reinforcement to
punishment?
Classroom Observation
Do Victor’s peers provide
him with positive
reinforcement for noncompliance?
Classroom Observation
Teacher Interview
Does Victor’s teacher
reinforce non-compliant
behaviors with attention?
Classroom Observation
Teacher Interview
Does Victor receive
inconsistent consequences
for non-compliant
behaviors?
Classroom Observation
Teacher Interview
Student Interview
Are the skills required by
the curriculum above his
instructional level?
Classroom Observation
Teacher Interview
Work Samples
IGDI
DIBELS
Flashcards with ABC’s
peers provide him with
positive reinforcement for
non-compliance
his teacher positively
reinforces non-compliant
behaviors with attention.
he does not receive
consistent consequences
for non-compliant behavior
the curriculum is too
difficult for him
Replacement
Behavior
Hypothesis
Prediction Statement
Assessment Question
RIOTS Data Collection
Victor is unable to
comply with teacher
requests within 10
seconds at least 75%
of the time because…
he has not learned the
classroom social skills
needed to get
reinforcement for
appropriate behaviors in
the classroom
he does not have selfcontrol/self regulation
skills
If Victor learns the classroom
social skills needed to get
reinforcement for appropriate
behaviors, then he will comply
with requests within 10 seconds
75% of the time
If Victor possesses selfcontrol/self-regulation skills,
then he will comply with
requests within 10 seconds 75%
of the time
If Victor possesses private
speech strategies, then he will
comply with requests within 10
seconds 75% of the time
Does Victor have a
classroom social skills
deficit?
Classroom Observation
Teacher Interview
Student Interview
Is Victor lacking selfcontrol/self regulation
skills?
Classroom Observation
Teacher Interview
Student Interview
Does Victor lack private
speech strategies?
Student Interview
he does not have private
speech strategies