Step 2.3b Create a hypothesis statement for the purpose of the behavior

Create a hypothesis (behavior) statement

A hypothesis statement should be based upon the assessment results and describes the best guess of the purpose of the behavior in sufficient detail. That is, what is the behavior trying to tell us? Analyzing assessment data helps team members identify patterns or behaviors across time and settings. Often times, patterns of behavior and the possible reasons for the behaviors will be obvious; however, at other times, the behavior patterns may be subtle and difficult to identify. When this occurs, additional data might need to be gathered to guide the development of a behavior statement. 

Team members develop a behavior statement for the interfering behavior that includes:

  1. the setting events, immediate antecedents, and immediate consequences that surround the interfering behavior
  2. a restatement and refinement of the description of the interfering behavior that is occurring
  3. the purpose the behavior serves (i.e., get/obtain, escape/avoid)

Example hypothesis (behavior) statement:

“Tino falls onto the floor, screaming and crying, when asked to clean up his toys, and he is then taken to his room where his mom rocks him on the rocking chair to calm him down.”