Behavior Contingency Map

A visual tool that illustrates how behaviors lead to specific consequences. It helps students understand the outcomes of their choices.

When to Use:

• To visually demonstrate the consequences of expected and challenging behaviors.
• When identifying and teaching a replacement behavior.
• As part of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) or Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) process.
• To align team members on behavioral expectations and outcomes.

How to Use:

1. Identify the Target Behavior
   • Clearly define the challenging behavior that needs to be addressed.
2. Determine the Antecedent
   • Identify what happens immediately before the behavior occurs.
3. Create the Behavior Contingency Map
   • Place the antecedent in the center.
   • Draw two paths -
     • Replacement Behavior Path - The expected or replacement behavior
     • Challenging Behavior Path - The undesired behavior
4. Identify the Consequence
   • Define what happens immediately after each behavior.
5. Review with the Student
   • Discuss the different behaviors and their outcomes.
   • Explicitly model the expected behavior.
   • Use visual supports such as pictures, icons, or written descriptions.
   • Positively reinforce that choosing the replacement behavior leads to a better outcome.
   • Keep the Behavior Contingency Map visible in relevant settings.
   • Use prompting and practice to support learning.

Tips:

• The student must be able to perform the replacement behavior before expecting them to use it.
• The consequences for each behavior must be realistic and consistent.
• Even if the student does not directly use it, the Behavior Contingency Map can help staff align expectations.

Variations:

• Use pictures, symbols, words, or a combination depending on student need.
• Adapt the format for individual students or classroom-wide use.
• Create laminated versions with Velcro to allow customization for different situations.