A baseline assessment is a critical first step in behaviorBehavior refers to any activity or action that living o... analysis, as it provides a clear picture of an individual’s performance before any changes or interventions are made. By comparing behavior or skill levels before and after treatment, behavior analysts can track progress and measure the success of their interventions.
Example
A behavior analyst is preparing to work with a student named Emily, who struggles with on-task behavior during classroom lessons. To understand Emily’s current behavior, the analyst first conducts a baseline assessment by observing her during several classroom sessions without any interventions in place. The analyst records how long Emily stays on task and how frequently she gets distracted or off-task during these sessions. The data shows that Emily is on-task for an average of 5 minutes before becoming distracted. This baseline data provides a reference point, helping the analyst evaluate the effectiveness of future interventions aimed at increasing Emily’s on-task behavior.