ABC’s and Functional

Behavior Assessments
By Leia Barrett
 What is ABC
Analysis?
In Functional Behavior
Assessment (FBA), data is
collected to look at the
events occurring before,
during, and after a
targeted behavior. The
ABC data helps to
determine the function of
a behavior.
 Who? and When?
Who…
Students with an IEP whose behavior is interfering with their learning and the
learning of others
Students with and without disabilities
Students with disruptive or passive behavior

When…
Behavior violates student
code of conduct
Behavior produces an
intended response
Behavior is a means for
avoidance
Behavior occurs to obtain
an environmental stimuli
ABC Components
A is for ANTECEDENT

B is for BEHAVIOR

C is for CONSEQUENCE
 ABC Data
The antecedent is the WHERE, WHEN, and WHO before the behavior occurs.
Where did the behavior take place? (SETTING)
When did the behavior occur? (EVENT)
Who was involved? (INTERACTION)

The behavior that occurs during the observation is objectively recorded in

detail.

The consequence is what occurs immediately after the behavior.

How did the teacher respond?
How did classmates respond?
How did the environment respond?
 ABC and FBA
Functional Behavior Assessment is a student-centered process used to determine the
function of behavior that negatively impacts a student’s learning and the learning of
their peers (Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2015).

An approach to determine the purpose of behavior

Define the behavior of concern

Recognize triggers

What is the desired outcome or goal?

Determine consequences

FBA data establishes a baseline

 ABC and FBA
ABC Analysis…
Just one of many tools used in the FBA process to collect data

Can be used with students with and without disabilities

ABC Chart used to organize information—Date, time, frequency

Observing and recording behavior on numerous occasions

Determine patterns in behavior

The Role of ABC
and FBA
Team formulates a hypothesis
Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
Changes and modifications to
environment
Compare behavior pre and post
intervention
Continuous monitoring and
modifications to maintain desired
behavior
 References
The University of Kansas. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2018, from http://www.specialconnections.ku.edu/?
q=behavior_plans/functional_behavior_assessment/teacher_tools/antecedent_behavior_consequence_chart

YouTube. Published November 16, 2011. How to collect ABC data. Accessed March 22, 2018 from https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xThcmhwFlKw.

Pennsylvania Department of Education. (2015, March). FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT (FBA).

Retrieved on March 22, 2018, from http://pattan.net-website.s3.amazonaws.com/images/2015/04/08/
FBA_Flyer0315.pdf