1. ABC’s of Behavior Renée M. Terrasi, PhD., BCBA-D Dr. Terrasi 2010

2. Why Do People Behave? Modeling? Accident? Instinct? Condition?? Why Do People Continue Behaving? IT WORKS! Dr. Terrasi 2010

5. ERASE problem behavior E xplain - What is the problem? R eason - What is he/she getting out of it or avoiding? (What is the Function/Pay off of the Behavior?) A ppropriate - What do you want him/her to do instead? S upport - How can you help this happen more often? E valuate - How will you know if it works? Dr. Terrasi 2010

9. ABC & Learning: An example Dr. Terrasi 2010

10. Learning & A  B  C What did the student learn? Dr. Terrasi 2010 A B C Student is asked to do a math problem in front of the class

11. Learning & A  B  C What did the student learn? Dr. Terrasi 2010 A B C Student is asked to do a math problem in front of the class Student tries to do the problem at the board, but struggles

12. Learning & A  B  C What did the student learn? Bad OutCome for Student Dr. Terrasi 2010 A B C Student is asked to do a math problem in front of the class by Mr. Brown Student tries to do the problem at the board, but struggles Peers laugh at student and one says aloud, “that one is so easy”

14. Learning & A  B  C Student: -Hits peer -Calls teacher name or -Disrupts Teacher calls on someone else & sends student to office TASK & Failure AVOIDED!!! Dr. Terrasi 2010 A B C Student is asked to do a math problem in front of the class Student tries to do the problem at the board, but struggles Peers laugh at student and one says aloud, “that one is so easy” Punishing Consequence NEXT DAY Student is asked to do a math problem in front of the class What happens today???

18. Let’s pretend you have been observing a kindergartner named Brenda for several days. You have seen Brenda hit or push peers four times. Based on the data/observations you have formulated these ABC statements for each of those observations. ABC Practice Dr. Terrasi 2010

19. BRENDA HITS OTHER STUDENTS - WHY WOULD SHE DO THIS? Antecedents Behavior Consequences ABC Practice Dr. Terrasi 2010 Susan calls Brenda a “creep face” and laughs at her Brenda punches Susan on the arm Susan stops laughing and walks away A group of students at recess call Brenda fat Brenda kicks several of them The students run away Brenda spells a word incorrectly during an oral review and the child behind her laughs Brenda pulls the child’s hair Brenda is sent to the office Brenda is playing blocks with Ben. Ben takes a block from Brenda Brenda hits Ben over the head with another block Ben puts the block down and runs away

20. Summary Statement WHEN ANTECEDENT , BEHAVIOR BECAUSE CONSEQUENCE Summary Statement WHEN Peers call Brenda names or tease her , Brenda hits BECAUSE peers go away ABC Practice Therefore the function of the behavior is (access/escape) (choose one) Therefore the function of the behavior is escape Dr. Terrasi 2010

22. Functions of Behavior Dr. Terrasi 2010