
Definitions of behaviors need to be:
› Observable – The behavior is an action that
can be seen.
› Measurable – The behavior can be counted
or timed.
› Defined so clearly that a person unfamiliar
with the student could recognize the
behavior without any doubt – pass the
“stranger” test
Sticky note attached to an item you
keep with you
 Masking tape on arm
 Beans (or other small items) in pocket
 Golf score counter
 Tally forms
 Ideas?


Setting Events/
ntecedents
› You know it’s going to be a bad day
when…”

Triggering
ntecedents
› The straw that broke the camel’s back

Maintaining
onsequences
› The “payoff” of the behavior
Stimulation/
Sensory
Obtain/Get
Something
Problem
Behavior
Adult
Social
Escape/Avoid
Something
To
Communicate
Something
Peer
Tangible/
Activity
To Obtain / Get
To Escape / Avoid
 Peer attention
 Difficult task
 Adult attention
 Boring Task
 Desired activity
 Easy Task
 Desired object / items
 Physical demand
 Sensory stimulation: auditory,
tactile...
 Non-preferred activity
 Peer
 Staff
 Reprimands

Look for PATTERNS in the ABCs of the
behavior and hypothesize about the
function of the behavior
Therefore, the function of the behavior is to get/avoid/communicate: (“in
order to…”)