This chart supports with identifying the sequence of behaviours. The purpose of identifying the sequence of behaviours is to ascertain the reasons why an unwanted behaviour is occurring.

An effective Functional Behaviour Assessment identifies that all behaviour used by all people follows a very set sequential pattern or order. As previously established, behaviour is not random but occurs in the following Sequence of Behaviours:

1. Antecedents
2. Low-level behaviours
3. High-intensity unwanted behaviours
4. Consequences of behaviour
5. Function of behaviour

1. Antecedents

In the Body Life Skills program the antecedents are LIFE, the aspects of life that have been presented which the person perceives they do not yet have all the required skills to respond to. Antecedents = Life triggers

2. Low-level behaviours

Low-level behaviours are the behaviours that occur before a high-intensity unwanted behaviour. In the Body Life Skills program the low-level behaviours are referred to as code green, yellow and orange behaviours – the actions, words, thoughts and feelings expressed at each of these colours.

3. High-intensity non-preferred behaviours

High-intensity non-preferred or unwanted behaviours are simply the most intense behaviours that are required by a particular person when reacting to a particular aspect of life, often known as meltdowns. In the Body Life Skills program, we call them code red behaviours.

Code red behaviours usually work towards or are an attempt to change a person’s initial experience in the part of life they were finding challenging; typically, all low-level behaviours have at this point failed to obtain this outcome.

4. Consequences of behaviour

Consequences are simply the outcome that occurs as a result of a particular behaviour being used.

5. Functions of behaviour

Functions are the reason why any unwanted or non-preferred behaviour occurs; they are simply the answer to one of my favourite questions: I wonder why? I wonder why that behaviour is being used? I wonder how that behaviour is supporting a person to feel more equipped to be in a certain part of life? The function/reason for behaviour typically results in the person changing (or attempting to change) their experience in the original part of life, the one they perceived as challenging.

*You can read more about the sequence of behaviour in the first book of The Body Life Skills series.