This document provides instructions for collecting latency data, which measures the length of time between a prompt or cue and the initiation of a behavior. It describes how to record the antecedent, start and end times, calculate latency, and take notes. An example is given of measuring the average time it takes a student to start assignments after being given the prompt by their teacher. The goal of latency recording is to reduce the time to initiate appropriate behaviors or increase the latency of inappropriate behaviors in response to triggers.
This document provides instructions for collecting latency data, which measures the length of time between a prompt or cue and the initiation of a behavior. It describes how to record the antecedent, start and end times, calculate latency, and take notes. An example is given of measuring the average time it takes a student to start assignments after being given the prompt by their teacher. The goal of latency recording is to reduce the time to initiate appropriate behaviors or increase the latency of inappropriate behaviors in response to triggers.
This document provides instructions for collecting latency data, which measures the length of time between a prompt or cue and the initiation of a behavior. It describes how to record the antecedent, start and end times, calculate latency, and take notes. An example is given of measuring the average time it takes a student to start assignments after being given the prompt by their teacher. The goal of latency recording is to reduce the time to initiate appropriate behaviors or increase the latency of inappropriate behaviors in response to triggers.
This document provides instructions for collecting latency data, which measures the length of time between a prompt or cue and the initiation of a behavior. It describes how to record the antecedent, start and end times, calculate latency, and take notes. An example is given of measuring the average time it takes a student to start assignments after being given the prompt by their teacher. The goal of latency recording is to reduce the time to initiate appropriate behaviors or increase the latency of inappropriate behaviors in response to triggers.
Description: Use latency recording when you are interested in how long a student takes to begin performing a particular behavior or task once the opportunity/prompt/request has been given. For example, if a teacher makes a request for a student to put an activity away, the observer would be interested in the length of time it takes for the student to comply with the request. Use this method if the opportunity and the behavior have a clear beginning and end. Do not use this method if the opportunities are continuous or if they start and stop rapidly. Latency is a helpful measure if the goal is to reduce the amount of time it takes for a student to start and appropriate behavior or increase the amount of time between an environmental trigger and the occurrence of inappropriate behavior
Examples: Following a teacher’s directions, compliance with a task, starting an assignment, time between peer instigation and aggression
How to Collect the Data:
• Write down the behavior that you will be observing and its definition • Note the antecedent (what happened immediately before the target behavior occurred • Note when the opportunity is presented (e.g., request given) and when the student begins the response (e.g., compliance with request) • Use a stopwatch to record the start time and stop time on the data sheet • Calculate the average latency (average time it takes for the behavior to start (this is what you graph) • Write any notes if applicable
Example: Abby’s teacher assigned work 4 times during the observation. Abby took 60 seconds, 90 seconds, 35 seconds and 50 seconds to start the four assignments. So, 60 + 90 + 35 + 50 = 235/4 = 58.75. Abby took an average of 58.75 seconds to start her assignments during the observation period.
How to calculate the data:
Student’s Name: _Abby Gale___________________________ Observer:__Ms. Stella Dora - Teacher______
Behavior: _ Follow teacher directions _________________________________________________________ Behavior Definition (in specific, observable, measureable terms): Follow teacher directions first time given within 30 seconds of request to start assignment/task/activity______________________________
Date Antecedent Start Time End Time Latency Notes
9/15/17 Abby was asked to take out 9:45.00 9:45.60 60 sec. Sharpened her pencil before her math text book and begin beginning assignment working on class assignment
*Source: Escambia County School District: Data Collection Guide: Addressing Student Behavior, A Positive Approach
The Personal Transformation Trilogy: Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs, Embracing Change & Turning Challenges into Opportunities: The Self-Development Mini Series, #0
