The ABCs of Behaviour: Antecedent, Behaviour, Consequence – Made Simple

Your go-to tool for understanding what’s really going on 🎯

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to figure out why a child behaves in a certain way, the ABC model is a great place to start.

It’s not about blaming or labelling, it’s about understanding. Because all behaviour is meaningful, and this simple three-part framework can help us decode the message behind it.

What Are the ABCs?

The ABCs stand for:

• A = Antecedent
  What happened before the behaviour? What was the trigger, event, or situation?

• B = Behaviour
  What did the behaviour look like? Be specific and observable.

• C = Consequence
  What happened after the behaviour? What was the response from others or the environment?

Why It Matters

Understanding the ABCs helps us:

☑️ Identify patterns and triggers
☑️ Respond with compassion, not punishment
☑️ Prevent future behaviours of concern
☑️ Teach more helpful, safe, and socially valid behaviours

It also stops us from making assumptions like “He’s just being difficult” or “She’s doing it for attention”, because we can actually see the function behind the behaviour.

Let’s Break It Down with a Real Example

Scenario:

A 10-year-old child throws a chair in the classroom.

• Antecedent: The teacher tells the class to pack up and transition to maths.

• Behaviour: The child throws a chair across the room.

• Consequence: The teacher sends the child outside for a break and calls the support staff.

If we track this over time and see that the same thing happens every time maths is introduced, we might learn that the behaviour serves an escape function, the child is avoiding a task that feels overwhelming or aversive.

Once we know that, we can create a support plan that includes:

• Pre-warnings or visual schedules

• Adjusted task difficulty

• Teaching the child how to ask for help or a break

• Strategies to build confidence in maths skills

Tips for Using the ABCs in Practice

• Be specific. Instead of “He got angry,” write, “He shouted, ‘I’m not doing this!’ and hit the table with his hand.”

• Record what you see, not what you think it means.

• Notice patterns. Are behaviours happening at the same time each day? With certain people? In specific settings?

This Isn’t About Control – It’s About Clarity

The ABC model doesn’t just help us understand behaviour, it helps us understand people. When we look past the surface and start seeing the story behind the behaviour, we can respond with empathy and make real, meaningful change.

So next time something tricky happens, ask yourself:

• What happened right before?

• What did I see?

• What happened right after?

Start there. The ABCs are simple – but they’re also powerful.

Want a free ABC template you can use at home, school, or in care settings? Contact me here and I’ll send you one to download!

Rosie 🌹