In short
An ABC chart helps you work out why a behaviour keeps happening. You write down what came before it, what it looked like, and what happened straight after. After a week or two, the pattern shows you the function.
One page with an example row, plus an extra page you can print as many times as you need.
How do I use it?
- Pick one or two behaviours to track, so it stays manageable.
- Fill in a row straight after the behaviour happens, while the details are fresh.
- Antecedent: the time, place, activity, who was there, and any instruction given.
- Behaviour: what you saw and heard, and how long it lasted.
- Consequence: what happened straight after, including what your child got or got out of.
- After a week or two, read down each column and look for what repeats. The pattern is the function.