A memorable incident can feel meaningful, but one event rarely gives us enough information to understand why behavior keeps happening.
Key Idea
Look for repeated relationships across multiple observations.
What This Can Look Like
One day: Task presented → student leaves → adult follows. That alone does not establish a pattern. Across several days: Difficult independent task → student leaves → task is delayed. Now there may be an emerging relationship worth investigating.
✓Try This
- •Collect observations across different: - days - activities - adults - settings - task types Then look for what repeats.
Keep in Mind
If observations are inconsistent or point in different directions, the most accurate conclusion may be: “Unclear — more information is needed.” That is better than forcing the data into an explanation.