ABC Behaviour log.

Evidence: The ABC (Antecedent-Behaviour-Consequence) model is a foundational tool in Applied Behavior Analysis. It enables functional assessment of behaviour to identify maintaining variables (Cooper, Heron & Heward, 2020). Systematic ABC recording is a usual first step before a behavioural intervention plan (the observation method comes from Bijou, Peterson & Ault, 1968). Recording is not assessing: full functional assessment is done by a trained professional, and interventions based on the function of behaviour work better than those that ignore it (Ingram et al., 2005).

Cooper, J.O., Heron, T.E. & Heward, W.L. (2020). Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson. · Bijou, S.W., Peterson, R.F. & Ault, M.H. (1968). JABA. · O'Neill, R.E. et al. (2015). Functional Behavioral Assessment. · Ingram, K., Lewis-Palmer, T. & Sugai, G. (2005). Function-based intervention planning. J. of Positive Behavior Interventions, 7(4).

Level of evidence: B (partial support). Basis: ABC recording as data collection for functional assessment of behaviour (Cooper et al., 2020). Limits: Recording is not assessing: full functional assessment is done by a trained professional. The notes are not a diagnosis.