How to use ABC Data Sheets: Effective ways to Track Behaviors

What is a ABC Data Sheet?

The ABC Data Sheet is an assessment tool used to gather information about a learner’s behavior. It aids the carer in helping to understand why a learner may be engaging in a particular behavior.

It’s a naturalistic way to collect data to determine the function of the behavior of concern and is usually a part of the process of a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA). Collecting Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence data aids in helping the carer to understand the circumstance of the behavior along with how the environment and behavior interact.

The ABC data can help determine if there is a relationship between what happens before and after the behavior. The goal with this data collection tool is to help identify potential Antecedents (what is happening before the target behavior) and Consequences (what is happening after the target behavior) which might be sustaining that target behavior.

Antecedent: description of what, where, who, and how that occurred immediately before the target behavior. Behavior: description of what the target behavior looks like including intensity, frequency, duration, location, etc.

Consequence: description of what occurred immediately following the target behavior, including the result of the behavior, the action or response of the carer, the reaction of others, the changes in the environment, etc.

Remember, take data immediately rather than trying to do it from memory, leave the data blank if you are unsure rather than guessing and it’s better to be more descriptive than not.