A. Measurement

1. MeasurementThis training program is based on the Registered Behavior Technician Task List and is designed to meet the 40-hour training requirement for the RBT credential. The program is offered independent of the BACB.

2. A. Measurement • A-01 Preparing for Data Collection • To prepare for data collection first you must know and understand the behavior you are recording. Typically your supervisor will have defined the behavior you are recording and will have created a datasheet outlining the parameters in which the data should be recorded. • When preparing direct measurement recording, (in addition to a writing utensil and datasheet) you may need: • A timer to record duration • A clicker to record frequency • Appropriate stimuli Measuring Behavior Measuring observable behavior is a hallmark of Applied Behavior Analysis and includes the precise measurement of responses to changes in the environment.

3. A. Measurement Direct vs. Indirect Measurement As a behavior technician you will be recording direct observations of behavior the majority of the timeas direct observation data is the most accurate. Direct Measurement is recording behavior as it occurs in either natural or contrived settings. • Direct measurement can be continuous or discontinuous • Continuous measurement records ALL instances of Behavior, examples of continuous recording would be frequency, duration, latency, intensity • Discontinuous measurement is a sample of possible occurrences of behavior Indirect measurement is when the target behavior is not directly observed, conclusions are drawn from other behaviors or environmental events. Types of indirect measurement include: • Permanent product recording, self-monitoring, interviews, surveys and rating scales

4. A. Measurement • A-02 Implementing continuous measurement procedures: • Frequency: Rate = Count/Time Unit • Frequency recording entails continuously recording each separate instance of behavior. • To record frequency you count the behavior when it occurs • Behaviors that you would typically use frequency to record are: hitting, kicking, throwing objects, cursing, pressing buttons, spinning, eating a non-food item, placing items in a container, etc. • Recording can be with tally marks, numbers, check marks or any symbol that indicates an instance has occurred. • Example: Johnny is sitting next to Sally at circle time, the behavior we are measuring is hitting, Johnny reaches over and smacks Sally in her head one time. The frequency recorded would be one.

5. A. Measurement • Example of a frequency count datasheet

6. A. Measurement • A-02 Implementing continuous measurement procedures: • Duration – Recorded per event or “response cycle” • Duration recording records the entire amount of time the target response occurs. • We record duration when the behaviors vary in length of time • Responses recorded should be continuous, for example: • Amount of time doing homework • Thumb sucking • Sitting in chair • Singing • Time out of seat during a lesson • Duration is easily recorded with a stop watch or the timer on a cell phone • Behaviors must be precisely defined so that you know when you should begin recording and when the time recording should end • Example: Target behavior: Completing a math problem: Sally begins completing her math problem at 3:45 pm and is finished at 3:50pm. Total duration (amount of time) to complete the math problem was 5 minutes.

7. A. Measurement • An example of a duration datasheet

8. A. Measurement • A-02 Implementing continuous measurement procedures: • Latency: Time between stimulus and response • Latency recording records the amount of time that lapses from the onset of a stimulus to the target response • Latency is recorded when the behavior of interest needs to begin in a specific amount of time • Examples of behaviors where latency is appropriate to record: • Amount of time between instruction delivery and compliance • Amount of time between the bell ringing and child enters class • Latency is easily recorded with a stop watch or the timer on a cell phone • Behaviors must be precisely defined so that you know when to begin recording and when the time recording should end • Example: Target behavior: Coming to the table when asked: Behavior Technician asks Sally to come to the table and begins recording, Sally came to the table 2 minutes later. The latency is 2 minutes. Please watch the following video: • www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvf30XrqUfc

9. A. Measurement A-03 Implementing discontinuous measurement procedures: Interval Recording – Provides an estimate of behaviors • Sessions are divided into time periods that are equal • Each interval is scored as an occurrence (+) or non-occurrence (O) according to criteria defined by the supervisor • There are three types of interval recording • Partial Interval • Whole Interval • Momentary Time Sampling • Whole interval recording is used to determine whether or not a behavior occurred for an ongoing amount of time. Use if the goal is to INCREASE behavior. Whole Interval recording underestimatesbehavior • Divide intervals into equal intervals (for example 10 seconds) in whole interval recording only put a + if the behavior occurred the entire length of the interval • Examples of whole interval recording situations • On task behavior • Sitting in seat

10. A. Measurement A-03 Implementing discontinuous measurement procedures: • Partial interval recording is used to determine whether or not a behavior occurred within a certain time period. Use if the goal is to DECREASE a behavior. Partial Interval recording overestimates behavior. • Procedures for using partial interval recording • Divide intervals into small equal intervals (for example 10 seconds) in partial interval recording put a + if the behavior occurred at anytime during the interval and a O if the behavior did not occur • Examples of partial interval recording situations • Aggressive behavior • Scripting • Stereotypy • Calling out

11. A. Measurement A-03 Implementing discontinuous measurement procedures: • Momentary Time Sampling is used to determine whether or not a behavior occurs during a time period • Procedures for using momentary time sampling • Divide intervals into small equal intervals (for example 10 seconds) at the END of the set interval observe the individual and record whether or not the behavior is occurring. • Examples of momentary time sampling recording situations • When you cannot attend to client the entire time • Behavior has no clear beginning or end • Behaviors with high rates

12. A. Measurement A-04 Implementing permanent product recording procedures: • Permanent products are the result of behaviors that produce tangible items or lasting environmental effects • Measurement takes place after the behavior has occurred • Should be used when: • Each occurrence of target behavior results naturally in the same permanent product • The product can only be produced by the target behavior • Examples of permanent products are: written exam, math problem, spelling words, coloring, puzzle, strung beads, stacked blocks, etc.

13. A. Measurement A-04 Implementing permanent product recording procedures: • To measure: Record the number of times correct behavior occurred/number of opportunities • Graph the total % of times behavior occurred Example: Johnny is doing homework, he gets 12/20 math problems correct (12/20) X 100 = 60

14. A. Measurement A-05 Entering data and updating graphs • Behavior technicians are required to take data on each target behavior daily • The target behavior and skill level of the learner will determine which type of data is going to be recorded. • Your supervisor will determine what type of data is recorded and if a graph is needed to track progress • Data will be taken on the data sheet provided by your supervisor • A graph will be provided for you if you are required to graph specific data