RBT Exam Study Guide Unit C

Skill Acquisition Plan

A written plan that outlines the procedures for teaching specific skills, including how the skill will be taught, reinforced, measured, generalized, and maintained

Behavior Reduction Plan (BIP)

A plan designed to decrease maladaptive or interfering behaviors using intervention strategies

Essential Components of a Skill Acquisition Plan

Skill definition, teaching procedures, materials and reinforcers, prompting strategies, error correction, data collection, mastery criteria, and generalization and maintenance plans

Continuous Reinforcement

Delivering reinforcement every time the target behavior occurs

Intermittent Reinforcement

Delivering reinforcement only some of the time when the target behavior occurs

Fixed Interval Schedule (FI)

Reinforcement delivered after a set amount of time has passed

Variable Interval Schedule (VI)

Reinforcement delivered after varying amounts of time that average out

Fixed Ratio Schedule (FR)

Reinforcement delivered after a fixed number of responses

Variable Ratio Schedule (VR)

Reinforcement delivered after a varying number of responses

Unconditioned Reinforcer

A reinforcer that is naturally reinforcing without prior learning, such as food or water

Conditioned Reinforcer

A reinforcer that gains value through pairing with other reinforcers

Generalized Conditioned Reinforcer

A conditioned reinforcer paired with many different reinforcers, such as money or tokens

Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT)

A structured teaching method consisting of an instruction, learner response, and consequence

Naturalistic Teaching

A teaching method that occurs in the learner’s natural environment and is guided by learner motivation

Task Analysis

Breaking a complex skill into smaller, teachable steps

Total Task Chaining

The learner completes all steps independently with prompts only as needed

Forward Chaining

The learner independently completes the first step, with remaining steps prompted

Backward Chaining

The learner independently completes the last step while earlier steps are prompted

Discrimination Training

Teaching a learner to differentiate between stimuli by reinforcing correct responses only in the presence of the correct stimulus

Stimulus Control

When a behavior occurs more often in the presence of a specific stimulus than others

Stimulus Control Transfer

Systematically fading prompts so behavior comes under control of the natural SD

Prompt

Assistance provided to help evoke a correct response

Prompt Fading

Gradually reducing prompts to increase independent responding

Most-to-Least Prompt Fading

Starting with the most intrusive prompts and fading to less intrusive prompts

Least-to-Most Prompt Fading

Starting with the least intrusive prompts and increasing prompt level if needed

Gestural Prompt

A prompt using gestures such as pointing or eye gaze

Verbal Prompt

A spoken prompt that provides the correct response

Physical Prompt

A prompt involving physical guidance to evoke a response

Model Prompt

Demonstrating the correct behavior for the learner to imitate

Positional Prompt

Arranging materials so the correct option is closer or more obvious

Generalization

Demonstrating a learned skill across different people, settings, instructions, or stimuli

Stimulus Generalization

Responding correctly to different examples of the same stimulus

Response Generalization

Using different correct responses to demonstrate the same skill

Maintenance

Continued performance of a skill after intervention has been removed

Rote Responding

Responding in the same exact way each time, which can limit generalization

Generalization Strategy

Teaching across multiple environments, stimuli, instructions, and reinforcing varied correct responses

Shaping

Reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior

Approximation

A behavior that is closer to the final target behavior than previous responses

Token Economy

A reinforcement system in which learners earn tokens for target behaviors

Tokens

Generalized conditioned reinforcers used in a token economy

Backup Reinforcer

Items or activities exchanged for tokens

Response Cost

Removal of earned tokens following an inappropriate behavior, considered a punishment procedure

Documentation and Reporting

The process of recording, communicating, and safeguarding client information to ensure quality care, legal compliance, and service verification

Supervisor Communication

Ongoing, professional communication with a BCBA or supervisor regarding questions, concerns, feedback, and client progress

Clinical Direction

Guidance provided by a supervisor on how to correctly implement goals, programs, or behavior plans

Timely Communication

Notifying a supervisor as soon as reasonably possible based on the urgency and potential impact on the client

Supervision Requirement

BCBAs or BCaBAs must supervise RBTs for at least 5 percent of their direct service hours

Feedback

Constructive input from a supervisor intended to improve treatment implementation and client outcomes

Professional Feedback Response

Accepting and applying feedback respectfully without taking it personally

Seeking Clinical Direction

Contacting a supervisor when unsure how to implement a goal, plan, or strategy before proceeding

Clinical Judgment

The RBT’s ability to assess urgency and determine when immediate supervisor contact is required

Barrier to Progress

Any factor that interferes with implementing goals or limits client success

Variables Affecting the Client

Any changes or conditions that may impact a client’s behavior, learning, or well-being

Medical Variable

Health-related factors such as illness, sleep issues, or medication changes

Environmental Variable

Changes in the client’s home, school, or therapy setting that may affect behavior

Service Variable

Starting or stopping other therapies that may impact treatment progress

Mandated Reporter

A professional legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect to authorities

Abuse or Neglect Reporting

Immediate notification to a supervisor and appropriate authorities when abuse or neglect is suspected

Session Notes

Written documentation summarizing what occurred during a therapy session

Objective Session Notes

Notes written using observable and measurable facts without opinions or assumptions

Subjective Language

Non-observable descriptions such as feelings or intentions that should be avoided in session notes

Required Session Note Components

RBT name and credentials, session date and time, targets addressed, client response, data, barriers, and caregiver communication

Service Verification

Documentation used to confirm that services were delivered as billed

Timely Note Completion

Completing session notes as soon as possible after a session, typically within 24 to 48 hours

Protected Health Information (PHI)

Any information that can identify a client and relates to their health or services

HIPAA

A federal law requiring the protection and confidentiality of client health information

Confidentiality

The obligation to protect client information from unauthorized access or disclosure

Data Security

Procedures used to protect client documentation during collection, storage, and transport

Secure Storage

Keeping client records in locked or password-protected locations

Secure Transportation

Safely transporting client data, such as storing documents in a locked trunk or secure container

HIPAA-Compliant Software

Approved electronic systems designed to protect PHI during data collection and documentation

Unauthorized Disclosure

The intentional or accidental sharing of client information with individuals who do not have permission

Behavior Reduction Plan (BIP)

A written plan created by the BCBA that outlines strategies to prevent and respond to interfering behaviors, implemented by RBTs and caregivers as applicable

Target Behavior

A behavior selected for intervention, often harmful or interfering, that is clearly defined and measured

Operational Definition

A clear, objective definition describing exactly what a behavior looks like so it can be observed and measured consistently

Function of Behavior

The reason a behavior occurs, what the learner gains or avoids by engaging in it

Preventative Strategies

Antecedent strategies used before a behavior occurs to reduce the likelihood of the target behavior

Antecedent

Anything that occurs immediately before a behavior

Consequent Strategies

Procedures used after a target behavior occurs to respond in a consistent way

Crisis Plan

A written set of procedures to follow for dangerous behaviors or medical emergencies to maintain safety

ABC Data

Data that records Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence to help understand patterns and function

Automatic Reinforcement

Behavior is maintained by internal sensory consequences and feels reinforcing on its own

Escape or Avoidance

Behavior is maintained by getting out of or delaying an unpleasant task or situation

Attention

Behavior is maintained by gaining attention from others

Access to Tangibles

Behavior is maintained by gaining access to items or activities

Antecedent Modification

Changing the environment or context before behavior occurs to reduce problem behavior and increase success

Visual Supports

Pictures, schedules, or visual cues used to guide behavior and reduce uncertainty

High-Probability Request Sequence

Presenting easier requests first to build momentum before a more difficult demand

Priming

Preparing the learner for an upcoming event by reviewing expectations and key information ahead of time

Offering Choices

Allowing the learner to choose between options to increase cooperation and reduce problem behavior

Noncontingent Reinforcement (NCR)

Delivering reinforcement on a time-based schedule independent of behavior to reduce motivation for problem behavior

Timers

Using time cues to clarify expectations like waiting, transitions, or when reinforcement is available

Motivating Operation (MO)

An event that temporarily changes the value of a reinforcer and changes behavior related to that reinforcer

Establishing Operation (EO)

An MO that increases the value of a reinforcer and increases behaviors that have produced it in the past

Abolishing Operation (AO)

An MO that decreases the value of a reinforcer and decreases behaviors that have produced it in the past

Deprivation

Limited access that can make a reinforcer more valuable and increase motivation

Satiation

Excess access that can make a reinforcer less valuable and decrease motivation

Discriminative Stimulus (SD)

A stimulus that signals reinforcement is available for a specific behavior due to a history of reinforcement

Stimulus Control

When a behavior occurs more often in the presence of a specific SD than in its absence

Differential Reinforcement

Reinforcing a specified behavior while placing the target behavior on extinction