A caution about audience and the benefits of video

Recently I have become aware that it is really important to not only assess the consequence of behavior like getting attention for their behavior but also the intended audience. For awhile we have been trying to ignore the inappropriate behavior of a student who speaks inappropriately to the staff in a variety of ways. The behavior really seemed to be seeking attention from the staff since it was directed at the staff. However, after watching the students behavior on video it became clear that he is attempting to gain attention from his peers. While he was addressing the teacher and the inappropriate comments were directed at getting the teachers attention. It became clear that while we, the staff, were trying to ignore the behavior to put it on extinction, he was looking at the other students to see their reaction to us ignoring him since his behaviors were so over the top. We weren't seeing him look at the other students who have been trained to ignore as well but find it much more difficult to do so. I really dislike being video taped but it is instances like these that remind me how valuable a tool recording the students and yourself can be in the assessment process of figuring out the ABCs. It lets you see things in a different light.