When behavior feels confusing, start with what you can actually observe. ABC stands for Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence. It is a simple way to organize what happened around an event.
Key Idea
A = what happened immediately BEFORE. B = what the student DID that you could see or hear. C = what happened immediately AFTER. “Consequence” simply means what followed the behavior. It does not mean punishment.
What This Can Look Like
Before: Independent writing was presented. Behavior: The student pushed the paper away and said, “I’m not doing this.” After: The writing task was removed for ten minutes. That single observation does not tell us why the behavior happened. But if the same relationship occurs repeatedly, it may help us notice a useful pattern.
✓Try This
- •After a behavior occurs, ask: 1. What happened right before? 2. What exactly did I see or hear? 3. What changed immediately afterward?
Keep in Mind
Stick to observable facts. Avoid interpretations such as “wanted control,” “was lazy,” or “was being manipulative.” Patterns become clearer when we describe what actually happened.