Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence (A-B-C) Analysis

Meet Susie, a 7-year-old with autism who finds it tough to switch activities. Her parents use Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence (A-B-C) Analysis to understand and change her behavior.

Using A-B-C Analysis to Help Susie:

• Antecedent: Susie’s parents observe that when they ask her to stop playing (the antecedent), she reacts with crying, screaming, and sometimes hitting (the behavior).
• Behavior: In response to her tantrums, they provide attention (the consequence), trying to calm her down and convince her to prepare for dinner.

Developing a Behavior Intervention Plan:

• Antecedent: To help Susie anticipate transitions and reduce anxiety, her parents introduce a visual schedule showing her the day’s activities, including dinner time.
• Behavior: They teach Susie a replacement behavior, such as taking deep breaths or asking for a break, to express her emotions more appropriately.
• Consequence: Susie receives positive reinforcement, like praise and stickers, when she successfully completes transitions without tantrums, encouraging her to use the replacement behavior and reinforcing positive conduct.

Over time, Susie’s tantrums decrease in frequency and intensity. She becomes better at handling transitions with less difficulty. A-B-C Analysis continues to help Susie’s parents identify triggers for other challenging behaviors, develop strategies for promoting positive conduct, and teach her new skills.