I use this to demonstrate to my treating sonīs health professionals, as a flow chart of his behaviour. I have used a version of this for tracking night-time waking, aggression,
before-and-after medication behaviour side effects etc.
Sometimes I saw a pattern, which helped us with behaviour managment and triggers, sometimes it was just a reminder when we went for check-ups, how my son was doing (very handy to pass it to the doctor during loud tantrums where one canīt hear the other!).
Suggestions for Using the Chart
I really recommend just one person/parent completing the chart each day - the Score
section is a subjective score from 0-5 (5 being the most extreme) on how severe the mood or behaviour (eg. aggressive, hitting sibling etc).
This helps maintain a level of continuity in scoring. If your child is awake half the night (like my son has been at times!) for sleeping disruptions, change the times to suit. Mood, describes childīs mood at the time of the behaviour eg. irritable or angry and Behaviour, should be described objectively eg. hit sister with
train 5 times or headbanging tantrum for 1 hour. Comments, is your analysis of the situation eg. sibling took trains away, anything that helps to pinpoint the trigger or associated happenings at that time.
Keep this chart handy! You donīt have to fill it in every hour, only when something happens, and try to complete it soon after an event - that way the facts will be fresh in your mind. I start a fresh chart every day and file the rest till the next doctorīs visit or whatever. And,
if your children are older kids, it might be a good idea to keep this chart discreetly out of view - smart kids they are :-)
