Conducting an ABC Analysis: Basic Questions Antecedents Behaviors Consequences

Antecedents Under what circumstance does the behavior occur and not occur? Who is present during the behavior? Where and when does the behavior take place? With whom is the behavior most likely to occur? What kind of activities is the behavior most likely to occur? What objects/materials are present? What is the student doing just prior to the occurrence of the behavior?

Behavior What exactly does the child say and/or do? How frequent, how long, and/or with what intensity does it occur? Are there other behaviors (of the individual) that occur before, during, or after the target behavior?

Consequences What happens after the child exhibits the behavior? Are the child's surroundings affected by his actions? Are other people affected by his actions? Does the individual appear to be pleasurably stimulated by the event(s)? Does the child escape some event or change the environment through the behavior? What does the individual gain or lose as a result of the behavior?

Sample ABC Analysis Student Observed (may be changed for confidentiality): Kelly Location: Classroom Line-ups for breaks, lunches, P.E. and dismissal A T, “OK it’s time to go” B K gets up, rushes to front of room C/A K trips on desk B K, “Why did you push me?” C/A Other student says, “I didn’t push you” B K “Yes you did” Pushes student C Other students look on. Teacher says, “What’s going on here? Stop!”