Q&A: Data Tracking for Spinning Behavior?

Question:

How can the Data Tracking form be used with a 20-month-old? For example, he is turning just about anything he can get his hands on into a spinner. This child is at home. Is it appropriate to have the parents do the tracking?

Answer:

I recommend using the “Time as a Percentage” data tracking method for this behavior. Teach the parents to watch him for 10- or 20-minute increments of time. They should start a stopwatch each time he starts spinning something (including himself) and stop it each time he stops the spinning. At the end of the 10- or 20-minute time period, calculate the percentage of time he was spinning. Have them do this once or twice a day for 3 consecutive days.

Best Wishes,
Gwen