For which purposes it is used

ABC stands for antecedent (A), behaviour (B) and consequence (C). It is an observation tool that teachers can use to analyse what happened before, during and after a behaviour.

All behaviour can be thought of as communication. The ABC approach can help you find out what a student is trying to say (e.g. express tiredness or frustration from a task being too hard), as well as what the student gets out of the behaviour (e.g. someone’s attention or an object they want).

The ABC model of behaviour is an approach to tracking and understanding the behaviour of children in the classroom. By tracking antecedents (A), behaviours (B) and consequences (C), the ABC model of behaviour can be used by teachers to improve their understanding of what triggers certain behaviours and to develop effective responses and support plans.

The Antecedent-Behaviour-Consequence (ABC) Model of behaviour helps to study behaviours that may present as challenging. This approach can assist teachers, carers and parents in understanding what children are trying to express, such as tiredness or frustration, and assess whether strategies such as use of a calm corner or the provision of sensory items are proving effective.