Duration Data Sheet
Some behaviors matter less for how often they happen and more for how long they last — a tantrum, crying, staying on task, or time spent settling to sleep. A duration data sheet records the start and end time of each episode so you can see the total time, the average length, and whether episodes are getting shorter as support improves.
Who it’s for: parents, teachers, therapists • Best for: behaviors where length is the important part • Time: note two times per episode
⬇ Download the free Duration Data Sheet (PDF)
How to use the duration data sheet
- Define the behavior clearly (for example, “crying,” measured from the first cry to fully calm).
- When an episode starts, note the start time.
- When it ends, note the end time.
- Write the duration (the difference), and a short note about what was happening.
- At the end of the day, fill the rollup: total time, number of episodes, and average length.
Reading the pattern
Plot the total minutes per day on page 2. Progress with duration often shows up first as episodes getting shorter, even before they happen less often — a hugely encouraging early sign that a strategy is working. Note your longest episode and what was happening around it, and any one thing that helped it end sooner; those notes are gold for your child’s team.
Tips
- If you can’t catch the exact start, estimate to the nearest minute — consistency matters more than perfection.
- Pair this with an ABC Data Sheet to capture what triggered the longest episodes.
- Average length is often the most motivating number to watch week to week.
This sheet helps you record and organize behavior. It is not a diagnostic tool; review findings with a qualified professional.
Related data sheets
- Frequency & Rate Data Sheet — how often a behavior happens.
- ABC Data Sheet — understand why it happens.
- Scatterplot Data Sheet — what time of day it happens.