Final answer:
In a functional behavior assessment, important data to collect includes the antecedents and consequences surrounding a behavior, as well as detailed descriptions of the behavior itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a functional behavior assessment, three crucial pieces of data that should be collected are:
Antecedents: Information on what occurs immediately before the behavior, such as the environment, time of day, or events that act as triggers.
Behavior: A detailed description of the behavior itself, its frequency, duration, and intensity. Recording the actual behavior rather than subjective interpretations is important.
Consequences: Observations regarding what happens immediately after the behavior, which may reinforce or discourage the behavior.
These components help to identify the function of the behavior and assist in developing effective intervention strategies to address and modify the behavior for better outcomes.