Module 5 – Lesson 8

ABC recording is a form of direct continuous observation whereby an observer records a descriptive, temporally sequenced account of all behaviours of interest and the antecedent conditions and consequences for those behaviours as those events occur in the client’s natural environment.

Like Scatterplot recording, ABC recording provides us with some information about what was happening at the time of a behaviour. However, this information is more detailed. It provides us with more information about the sequence of events. This means we can identify potential SD?s for a behaviour and identify potential reinforcers.

Let?s look at an example:

Antonio has been asked by his supervisor to observe and record data on Ferdinand. Ferdinand engages in yelling when he is upset and Antonio is using ABC recording to identify what happens directly before the yelling, the yelling itself, and what happens directly after the yelling. After a week of taking ABC data for Ferdinand?s yelling, Antonio and his supervisor note that common SD?s for yelling seem to include when he is told that a reinforcing activity (such as using the computer) is about to end or when he is denied access to preferred items. They note that Ferdinand?s teachers characteristically respond by providing him with extra time on a reinforcing activity or by giving him the preferred item.

Let?s look at another example:

Francine is engaging in self-injurious head banging. Lucy is observing Francine and records that right before the head banging starts, a staff member is usually walking away. Directly after the head banging, the staff member returns and interacts with Francine for more time.

As ABC recording is used in order to identify the possible antecedents, the target behaviour, and the consequences, it is important for those who use it to make sure that they record the events objectively. The use of subjective or vague language needs to be avoided. ?????????????????????????

For example, rather than recording that somebody became angry, you would explain that they frowned, started flushing, started yelling, started to breath rapidly or started to attempt to hit somebody with an open palm.? If recording a consequence, rather than simply saying that a parent, teacher or other staff member ignored a behaviour or tried to re-direct it, it is much more useful to say how they tried to do so.

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