The most important element of a behavior program after the actual analysis of the behavior is ensuring approaches are empirically supported or refuted with data. Data and the subsequent analysis of the data is what gives PBS and ABA their objectivity and success in bringing about positive behavioral change. A behavior program without appropriate data collection practices is unethical on the part of the author and/or team that implements the behavior program. Because of this, data collection and analysis is a required feature of any legitimate behavior program.
There are several different approaches to collecting data and it is up to the author of the behavior program to decide which type(s) of tracking is most appropriate. Below are several different types of data tracking forms that I have used at some point or another and have found useful. It is important to note that typically when data is being collected by people other than the author (this is typically the case in my experience) training must be provided to the staff, parents, teachers, etc. that will be completing the data because inappropriately completed data is almost as useless as no data at all.
All the forms below are able to be opened and saved, reformatted, and printed for your particular needs. You are also welcome to use them as they are.
30 Day Behavior Tracking The primary purpose of 30 day tracking is to establish a frequency for comparative analysis, i.e. a measure to know if your behavior program is having its desired effect. I typically will train staff how to use this form after a Functional Behavior Interview is done with the person's team to collect necessary behavior information, i.e. problematic behavior topography, antecedents, etc. Obviously, once you are receiving monthly data on an active behavior program, the 30 day tracking is no longer needed. I have found it most useful when starting a new behavior program. |
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ABC Tracking ABC Tracking stands for Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence. This form can be helpful when filled out by a trained person to gather information pertaining to the environment in which the problematic behavior occurs. While there is a level of subjectivity found within this form, the information can be none the less useful when designing the behavior program. |
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Functional Analysis Tracking Analog or as it is usually called Functional Analysis is a technique used by behavioral clinicians wherein antecedents and consequences are arranged in an experimental design with the purpose of measuring the frequency of identified problematic behavior when a specific condition is present. There are usually four conditions tested, baseline (alone), attention, escape, and a control condition where the identified problematic behavior is expected to be low. It is also beneficial to individualize the test conditions for the person, i.e. baseline, attention, competitive attention, escape, etc. |
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Cyclical Tracking The Cyclical Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations Assessment is primarily utilized so a better understanding of the specific topography of a person's cyclical behavior can be gained. When used in conjunction with a frequency tracking form, a clinician can get a very clear understanding of how the person's problematic behavior manifests more or less during a particular part of a person's cycle. |
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Day Programming Frequency The Day Programming Tracking Sheet is a simple frequency analysis tool. Staff completing this form need to record the frequency a certain behavior occurred over a specified time period, usually one day. I have personally found that frequency tracking is useful for behaviors that occur at low to medium frequency/low to high intensity. If the identified problematic behavior occurs in excess of 25 times a day, you are further ahead doing a time sampling and just having staff mark the day with an "X" to signify that the behavior was present that day. |
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Residential Programming Frequency The Residential Programming Tracking Sheet is a simple frequency analysis tool. Staff completing this form need to record the frequency a certain behavior occurred over a specified time period, usually one day. I have personally found that frequency tracking is useful for behaviors that occur at low to medium frequency/low to high intensity. If the identified problematic behavior occurs in excess of 25 times a day, you are further ahead doing a time sampling and just having staff mark the day with an "X" to signify that the behavior was present that day. |
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Informal Mental Health Exam This supplemental data form is useful when working with people who exhibit both problematic behavior as well as significant mental health issues, i.e. depression, anxiety, delusional behaviors, etc. |
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Scatter Plot Analysis Scatter Plot is great when trying to figure out a specific time or environment a problematic behavior occurs in, i.e. always between 11am and 1pm, or always when in the community. You will need to have a copy of the person's schedule to compare the data results to. |
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Task Analysis Format Task Analysis is a teaching method used to increase a person's skills at performing specific tasks. This document is limited to a 15 step model; this is done to reduce the number of steps necessary to remember a task. |
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Trial Assessment Tracking Trial Assessment Tracking is to be used when testing is warranted to see the effect a specific approach has on another's behavior immediately following its presence.
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ABC and Scatter Plot Tracking Sheets: O, R. E. (1997). Functional assessment and program development for problem behavior, a practical handbook. Wadsworth Pub Co.
