ABC Form | Caring Alliance

Individual Details

Individual's Name

Date of Birth

Setting / Service

Recording Period From

Recording Period To

Completed By

Record each incident objectively. Describe what you saw and heard, not what you think was happening. Complete a row for every incident during the recording period.

ABC Recording Table

A: what happened immediately before the behaviour. B: what the person actually did. C: what happened immediately after the behaviour.

Date	Time	Where	Who Was Present	Antecedent (A): What happened just before?	Behaviour (B): What exactly did the person do?	Consequence (C): What happened just after?	Intensity (L / M / H)	Duration (mins)

Summary and Pattern Analysis

After the recording period, use the data above to identify patterns. Complete the analysis below.

Antecedent Patterns

What common situations, activities, times, people, or demands tend to precede the behaviour?

Are there setting events that make incidents more likely on certain days? (poor sleep, pain, visitors, transitions, noise)

Behaviour Patterns

What are the most common behaviours recorded? Is there a progression or escalation pattern?

What is the typical frequency, duration, and intensity of incidents?

Consequence Patterns

What typically happens after the behaviour? How do staff, peers, and family respond?

What does the person appear to gain from the behaviour? (attention, escape, sensory input, a tangible item, communication)

Working Hypothesis

What is the likely function of the behaviour? What message is the person communicating through this behaviour?

What alternative behaviours or skills could the person develop to meet this need in a different way?

Recommendations

Proactive strategies recommended (prevent the behaviour by addressing unmet needs)

Reactive strategies recommended (de escalate early, keep everyone safe)

Skills to develop (communication, emotional regulation, coping, independence)

Further assessment or specialist input needed (behaviour specialist, psychologist, SALT, OT)

Sign-Off

Role	Name	Signature	Date
Completed By
Reviewed By (Manager / PBS Lead)

ABC Recording Form