Definitions for Target Behaviors (to be decreased)

1. Tantrum:
o Tantrum is defined as any occurrence of the following for any period of time:
a. Crying- defined as the occurrence of vocalization (sounds or words)
accompanied by facial contraction with or without tears for any period of
time.
 Ex.- Adin is told he cannot have his phone or desired items; he begins to
cry.
 Non- Ex.- Adin falls down and gets hurt and he begins to cry.
b. Throwing self to floor- defined as any occurrence of dropping body to the
floor from sitting or standing position.
 Ex.- The music is turned off and Adin drops to the ground.
 Non- Ex.- Adin is playing Duck, Duck, Goose and drops to the ground to
sit down in his spot.
c. Screaming- defined as the occurrence of vocalizations at a volume above
normal conversational level for any period of time.
 Ex.- Adin is asked to put his car toys away and he begins yelling.
 Non-Ex.- Adin is stung by a bee and begins yelling.
2. Physical Aggression:
o Physical aggression defined as any occurrence of any of the following:
 Kicking is defined as any occurrence of contacting any part of another
person’s body using a foot form a distance of six inches or more.
 Biting is defined as any occurrence of opening and closing of the jaw with
upper and/or lower teeth contacting any part of a person’s body (except
kissing).
 Scratching is defined as any occurrence of digging the fingernails into
another person’s skin and/or moving them across another person’s skin or
clothing.
 Spitting o Spitting is defined as any occurrence of projecting matter or
objects from the mouth, does not include drooling or saliva leaving the
mouth during eating.
 Hitting: Hitting is defined as any occurrences of contacting any part of
another person’s body with an open or closed hand from a distance of six
inches or more.
 Pinching: Pinching is defined as any occurrences of griping someone's
flesh tightly and sharply between finger and thumb.
3. Property Destruction:
o Property destruction is defined as any occurrences of the following:
 Damaging personal or public property (e.g., breaking an object into two or
more pieces, using an object to break other objects, ripping objects or parts
of objects from walls, floors, or furniture, and denting cars, objects, or
walls.)
 Episodes of property destruction are scored as a single response unless at
least 60 seconds has elapsed since the last break, rip, or dent.
4. Self-Injurious Behaviors (SIB):
o Self-injurious behavior is defined as any occurrence of the following for any
period:
 Head hitting taking hand (either open or closed palm) striking it against his
head.
 Head banging: taking objects striking it against her head and/or pushing his
head against any objects e.g. wall, floor, table, chair etc.
 Scratching: taking fingernails against his head
 Hair pulling: pulling his hair out when he gets upset.
 Fingernail biting: taking his fingernails into his mouth and biting with the
edge of his teeth until the tips of the nails are gone and he sees blood.

 Task Refusal/Avoidance
a. Task Refusal/Avoidance is defined as any occurrence of saying
“no”, “I don’t want to”, “I won’t do it”, “not now”
b. Task-refusal is fined as any response that does not match the
delivered instruction within 60 seconds from the time the
instruction was given and completing the request.