The ABC Approach

The ABC model can assist with understanding incidents:

• A – Antecedent: What happened before the behaviour?
• B – Behaviour: What did the person do or communicate during the incident?
• C – Consequence: What happened immediately afterwards?

This information can help identify patterns and improve future support.

What Is an ABC Form?

An ABC form is a behaviour-support recording tool used to identify patterns and possible triggers surrounding an incident or behaviour of concern.

ABC stands for:

• A – Antecedent: What happened before the behaviour?
• B – Behaviour: What did the person do or communicate during the incident?
• C – Consequence: What happened immediately afterwards?

The purpose of an ABC form is not to blame or punish the person. It helps the participant and the team around the person understand what may be contributing to the behaviour and identify strategies that may prevent or reduce future incidents.

How to Complete an ABC Form

Record the Antecedent

Write down what happened immediately before the behaviour. Consider:

• Where was the person?
• Who was present?
• What activity was taking place?
• Was there a change in routine?
• Was the person asked to do something?
• Were there loud noises, crowds or other sensory triggers?
• Was the person waiting, tired, hungry or unwell?
• What communication occurred?
• Record facts rather than assumptions.

Example:

At approximately 2:00 pm, the person was asked to stop using the computer because it was time to attend an appointment. The room was busy, and two other people were talking nearby.

Record the Behaviour

Describe exactly what the person did or said. Include only observable actions. Record:

• What the person said
• Their actions
• The duration of the behaviour
• How often it occurred
• Any safety risks
• Whether the behaviour increased or decreased
• Avoid labels such as “naughty,” “attention-seeking” or “out of control.”

Example:

The person shouted, “No, I’m not going,” pushed the chair backwards and struck the table with an open hand three times. The behaviour continued for approximately four minutes.

Record the Consequence

The consequence is what happened immediately after the behaviour. It does not necessarily mean a punishment. It refers to the response or outcome following the behaviour. Record:

• How staff responded
• What the person did next
• Whether the demand was removed or changed
• Whether the person received attention or reassurance
• Whether the environment changed
• Whether the behaviour reduced or continued
• Whether additional support was requested

Example:

Staff used a calm tone, moved other people from the room and offered the person a choice to attend the appointment immediately or in 10 minutes. The person selected 10 minutes, stopped hitting the table and sat quietly.

Information recorded in each ABC Form is added to a behavior register to combine data by management. This data is used to:

• Track trends and patterns
• Send to treating team on a pre-determined scheduled for regular monitoring and review.

Good Recording Practices

When completing an ABC form:

• Record the information as soon as possible after the event.
• Use clear, factual and objective language.
• Include exact words where relevant.
• Record the time, location and people present.
• Avoid guessing the person’s intentions.
• Do not diagnose or label the person.
• Include the strategies used and their outcome.
• Follow your organisation’s privacy and reporting procedures.
• Complete any separate incident report required by your workplace.
• Inform your supervisor or team leader.