Assessment Tool: Interview Schedule for Formulating an ABC Chart for Behavioural Problems

Interview Schedule to identify faulty interaction and reinforcement patterns and gather data for Formulating an ABC Chart for Behavioural Problems!

Interview Schedule: Formulating an ABC Chart for Behavioural Problems

To identify faulty interaction and reinforcement patterns and gather data for creating an ABC chart

Opening Questions: General Information

1. Do I have your consent to take your interview and observe your child/adolescent and you for the purpose of _____?
2. What are your names? 
3. How old are you?
4. What are your occupations?
5. What is the child/adolescent’s name?
6. How old is the child/adolescent?
7. In what class is the child/adolescent?

Identifying the Problem Behaviours

1. What are the specific problematic behaviours causing you concern:
1. Changes in sleep and appetite
2. Irritability and restlessness
3. Difficulty in concentrating on a task
4. Temper tantrums
5. Frequently engaging in arguments with peers/ at home/ at school
6. Academic difficulties/ academic decline / skipping school
7. Frequent changes in mood
8. Resistance/defiance in following instructions 
9. Others. Please specify:
2. Does the child/adolescent have any of the following conditions diagnosed:
1. Autism Spectrum Disorder
2. Conduct Disorder
3. Down Syndrome
4. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
5. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
6. Others. Please specify:

Family Dynamics and Stressors

1. Please describe your family (SES, Joint/Extended/Nuclear, etc.) How are the family dynamics?
2. How would you describe your relationship with your parents during your childhood? Were they strict, caring, etc.?
3. How would you describe your relationship with each other?
4. Do you have other children? If yes: how does their behaviour compare to this child/adolescent?
5. Are there any recent changes or stressors in your family life (e.g., job loss, divorce, new baby)?

Understanding Overall Parenting Approach and Interaction Patterns

1. Describe your approach to parenting and the strategies you typically use in raising the child/adolescent?
2. Do both parents generally agree on discipline methods, or are there differences?
3. Do you feel comfortable setting clear and age-appropriate limits for your child/adolescent?
4. Have you set clear rules and expectations for behaviour-based rewards and punishments for the child/adolescent? Please elaborate.
5. How consistent are you in enforcing these for your child/adolescent?
6. How do you typically respond to your child/adolescent's good behaviour (e.g., praise, rewards)?
7. How do you typically respond to your child/adolescent's negative behaviour (e.g., time-outs, yelling)?
8. Are you able to openly discuss your child/adolescent's behaviour with them? 
9. Are you able to follow through with punishments or consequences?

Information for Antecedent-Behaviour-Consequence (ABC) Chart

1. Can you describe any instances of challenging behaviours your child/adolescent has exhibited recently?
2. For any of the three behaviours from previous question:
1. When and where did this behaviour occur?
2. What happened before the child/adolescent behaved this way? Have you noticed any consistent triggers or antecedents that seem to precede this type of behaviour? (e.g., specific situations, people)
3. How did you react/respond when the child/adolescent behaved this way? What consequences or outcomes followed your child/adolescent’s problematic behaviour?
4. How did the child/adolescent 's behaviour end? (e.g., did they get what they want? Did it escalate?)

Closing Questions

1. Have you tried any strategies to address these behaviours? What worked, and what didn't?
2. Have you ever tried to set rules and use positive reinforcement to modify your child/adolescent’s behaviour?
3. Anything else you would like to share regarding your child/adolescent’s problematic behaviours or how you handle them?

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