Aberrant Behavior Checklist

If you need to assess a child for any possible behavioral problems and developmental disabilities, make use of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist to examine them and help you develop a treatment plan!

By Matt Olivares on Mar 06, 2024.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

Use Template

What is the Aberrant Behavior Checklist?

The is a nifty screening tool used to assess a child for the severity of their behavioral problems and any developmental disabilities they might have, especially if they have Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The checklist comes with fifty-eight items for an observer to rate, and they are all divided into five different behavioral categories:

  • Irritability
  • Hyperactivity
  • Lethargy
  • Stereotypic behavior
  • Speech

Printable Aberrant Behavior Checklist

Download this Aberrant Behavior Checklist to assess a child for any possible behavioral problems and developmental disabilities.

How to use the Aberrant Behavior Checklist

Rate the child based on the fifty-eight items.

Using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist is straightforward and easy! The observer must rate the fifty-eight items between 0-3 based on the past four weeks before engaging with the checklist!

Here are the score designations:

  • 0 = Not at all a problem
  • 1 = The behavior is a problem, but slight in degree
  • 2 = The problem is moderately serious
  • 3 = The problem is severe in degree

You also have to keep the following points in mind:

  • The frequency of the problem: if, for example, your child throws temper tantrums more than most children, then they should probably be rated with a 2 or 3 even if it only occurs once or twice a week
  • Think about how the child behaves when they are with others, not just you
  • Is the behavior interfering with the child’s development, functioning, and their relationships with others?

Lastly, as much as possible, don’t spend too long when it comes to thinking about each item. Your first reaction is normally the correct answer, so rate accordingly.

Calculate and interpret the scores.

Once you have fully accomplished the checklist, it’s time for you to calculate the scores as well as interpret them. To do that, purchasing a kit from the Stoelting Co. official website would be best to get all the necessary materials for accurate calculations and scoring.

Develop a care plan based on the results of using the checklist kit.

Suppose you have purchased an official kit and used it to calculate and interpret the scores based on the five behavior categories. In that case, you can use those calculations and interpretations to help you determine what goes into your care plan.

Aberrant Behavior Checklist Example

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist sample that you will see here is merely for demonstration purposes to show you what it usually looks like (minus the radio options). If you need the Aberrant Behavior Checklist for your practice, please purchase from the Stoelting Co. official website linked earlier in this guide to get official access to the checklist and its scoring component. We don’t offer any free downloads of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist.

Download this Aberrant Behavior Checklist Example (Sample) here:

Aberrant Behavior Checklist Example

When does one normally use the Aberrant Behavior Checklist?

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist can be used when a child (whether they have ASD or not) exhibits behavioral problems and developmental disabilities. The earlier it is used, the better because you’ll be able to determine how to curb these problems and developmental disabilities the child may have before they worsen.

It can also be used to monitor the child every now and then post-care plan implementation.

Who can use the Aberrant Behavior Checklist?

The following healthcare professionals can use the Aberrant Behavior Checklist for their work:

  • Pediatricians
  • Psychologists
  • Psychiatrists
  • Counselors

It’s not just those four types of professionals. Any healthcare professional who specializes in treating people with developmental disabilities, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, can definitely use this.

Practice Management Software Feedback

Why use Carepatron for psychology and behavioral software?

Using Carepatron will give you access to numerous worksheets, assessments, and much more that could benefit you and your healthcare practice!

We also have numerous guides on how to use different types of clinical documents, such as this one! Our guides will help you understand particular tools and make using them easier for your practice!

If you purchased the Aberrant Behavior Checklist kit, you can store fully-accomplished checklists and their respective scores via our platform in a HIPAA-compliant manner! Doing so allows you to create digital backups in case something happens that makes you lose your physical copies. This makes them easily accessible anytime, anywhere, whether using a desktop, laptop, or mobile phone!

Storing them on our platform also makes them highly secure since you will have the power to set up who can access them besides you.

Convenience. Accessibility. Security. You get all three with Carepatron.

Practice Management Software
How come you don’t have a downloadable PDF version of this checklist?
How come you don’t have a downloadable PDF version of this checklist?

Commonly asked questions

How come you don’t have a downloadable PDF version of this checklist?

The checklist is copyrighted. It is part of a kit with scoring components to help you calculate and interpret the ratings and scores. Here, we have a guide and a sample image of what the checklist would generally look like when fully accomplished. Please make sure to buy an official copy from the Stoelting Co. website.

May I use this to diagnose children?

No. This tool is specifically designed to assess the frequency and severity of a child's problematic behaviours. It should not be used to diagnose a child with anything.

Is this checklist enough to assess a child?

It’s highly recommended that you use this checklist alongside other documents, whether worksheets or assessments. While the checklist is comprehensive in its own right, it is best to use it with other documents to get a better picture and understanding of the child so you can create the proper care plan for them.

Join 10,000+ teams using Carepatron to be more productive

One app for all your healthcare work