Consequences

Clinical Use:  Consequences

Consequences:  Events, actions, interactions, or objects that happen right after a target behavior.  Most behavior is an attempt to “get something” and/or “avoid something.”  Consequences include the outcome of the target behavior, anything “added” to the situation after the target behavior (e.g., attention from a teacher, peer, or administrator, play time on the computer), anything “removed” from the situation after the target behavior (e.g., instruction stopped, work avoided, social interactions discontinued), and/or any sensory or physiological outcomes (e.g., stimulation obtained or pain reduced).

For example, Taylor wanders around the room during math worksheet time.  He invades peers’ space and makes inappropriate comments.  Classmates often laugh and sometimes start talking with Taylor.  Consequences to include in this section would be “peers laugh and interact with Taylor.” When asked to participate in the class discussion, Monica puts her head on her desk and covers her ears.  The group asks another student to participate instead.  Consequences to include in this section would be “requests for Monica to participate are discontinued.”

Hint:  Identify consistent consequence patterns based on observations, interviews, assessments, and/or record reviews.