RBT Exam (BACB)

What is an RBT?

Paraprofessional who practices under the close supervision of a BCBA

What is the role in ABA?

Works 1:1 with clients and interacts more frequently without surrogates in the implementation of the behavior intervention. Teaches client to be independent and you will facilitate the clients full inclusion in all families, school, etc.

Feedback as an RBT

- Not personal

- Provided to assist in performance improvement

- Clinical skills development, professional development

- Ensures best quality

How do you communicate with stakeholders? (family, caregivers)

Use common language, they are not verse in ABA terminology

RBT ethics code S1: KNOWLEDGE OF THE CODE

- Responsibly be familiar with the code

- Review regularly

- Promote values

- Act in accordance with the code

- Bring up conflicts of issues with supervisor

RBT ethics code S1: PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

- Avoid multiple relationships

- No sexual relations for at least 2 years

- Awareness of personal issues

RBT ethics code S1: INTEGRITY

- Commitments and quality of work

- Honesty-Public statements

- Credentials and citations

- Resolving issues appropriately

RBT ethics code S2: RESPONSIBILITY TO CLIENTS

- Supporting legal rights and preferences

- Do no discriminate, demean, or harass

RBT ethics code S2: CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONSENT

- Sharing identifying information (social media)

- Consent for recording/sharing information

- Protecting confidentiality in communications who needs to know

- Maintaining and destroying records

RBT ethics code S3: SUPERVISION AND TRAINING

- Qualified supervisor

- Provider services only in ares of competence

Operate only in defined roles

RBT ethics code S3: COMMUNICATING WITH STAKEHOLDERS

- Avoid using technical language/jargon

- Using and displaying data for decision making

- Behavior analytic scope of practice

Pairing

The process of turning a neutral stimulus into a reinforcing stimulus

Neutral stimulus

Does not affect the bx

Reinforcing stimulus

Affects bx

Stimulus-stimulus pairing

(BAD?) Non-contingent on client bx

E.g. Patient playing with blocks so you play w/ blocks

Response-stimulus pairing

Requires a response from the client

Behavior

The activity of a living organism. Human behavior is the interaction of muscles and glands with the environment

Response

A single instance or occurrence of a specific behavior

Private behavior

Behavior that is only accessible or identifiable to the person who emits it

E.g. Thinking, digestion, pain

Public behavior

Behavior that can be seen by others

E.g. Arm flapping

Topography

Describes the behavior in an objective manner

Antecedents

Actions, events, or circumstances that occur before the behavior, including any environmental conditions or stimulus changes

Consequences

Actions, events, or circumstances that occur after the behavior, including any environmental conditions or stimulus changes

Positive consequences

Stimuli are added to the environment (something is presented, turned on, increased, etc.)

Negative consequences

Stimuli are withdrawn or removed from the environment (something is removed, turned off, decreased, etc.)

Reinforcement

Delivered after a behavior and increases the future frequency of that behavior overtime

Positive reinforcement

Adding something to the environment that increases the future frequency of the behavior over time (reward).

Negative reinforcement

Remove something from the environment that decreases the future frequency of the behavior. Related to relief. (Scratching bug bite)

Punishment

Occurs after a behavior and decreases the future frequency of that behavior over time

Positive punishment

Adding something to the environment that decreases the future frequency of the behavior (ticket after speeding).

Negative punishment

Removing something from the environment that decreases the future frequency of the behavior (time out).

SD

An antecedent that, in the past, when followed by a specific behavior (response), resulted in reinforcement. A type of stimulus that is used consistently to elicit a specific response and increases the likelihood that the desired response will occur. A signal that reinforcement is available.

Verbal behavior: echoic

Think echo. Speaker repeats the verbal behavior of another speaker.

Verbal behavior: mands

These are requests. Think command or demand.

Verbal behavior: tacts

Labels. Speaker names things and actions that they have direct contact with.

Verbal behavior: intraverbal

Speaker responds to verbal behavior of another speaker

Unconditioned punishment

A stimulus change that decreases frequency of behavior

-Requires no prior learning history and if paired with a neutral stimulus or condition, may impact future bx

E.g. Pain, excessive cold, heat, too much light, loud sounds

Fixed ratio reinforcement

Reinforcement is delivered after a fixed number of correct responses

E.g. FR3 "name" "name" "name" GOOD!

Fixed interval reinforcement

Think of it as a due date. Provide reinforcement delivery after response following a fixed amount of time.

Variable ratio (VR) reinforcement

Reinforce the first response after a variable number of responses

- Used for maintenance

Variable interval (VI) reinforcement

Reinforce the first response after a variable amount of time

E.g. VI2 - reinforce after 2 minutes, 1.5 minutes, 2.5 minutes~

Motivating operations (MO)

An environmental variable that (a) alters (increases or decreases) the reinforcing or punishing effectiveness of some stimulus, object, or event; and (b) alters (increases or decreases) the current frequency of all behavior that has been reinforced or punished by that stimulus, object, or event.

Behavior-altering effect

Increases or decreases the chances of the behavior occurring, based on the value of the reinforcer

Establishing operations (EO)

An MO that establishes (increase) the effectiveness of some stimulus, object, or event as a reinforcer in the moment. They have an evocative effect meaning there will be an increase in the behavior that has been previously reinforced.

E.g. Eat chips = water bc thirsty, working 4 hours = go outside

Abolishing operations (AO)

An MO that decreases the effectiveness of some stimuli, object, event, as a reinforcer in the moment. They have an abative effect meaning there will be a decrease in the behavior that has been previously reinforced.

E.g. Eating preferred foods may decrease the effectiveness of edible reinforcement, allowing regular breaks may decrease escape behaviors

Preference assessments

Determine the various items or activities that may be effective in increasing patient responding. Preferences are fluid and can vary throughout the session.

Naturalistic observation preference assessment

An individual is given simultaneous access to multiple stimuli for a period of time, and the duration of engagement with each item is recorded

Contrived observation - preference assessment

requires for BI to fill the environment with a variety of items that the patient may like

Ask the patient - preference assessment

Open ended questions

Provide a choice

Offer a pre-task choice

Single stimulus trial-based method

An engagement based preference assessment procedure in which an individual is presented with one stimulus at a time for a specified period of time, and the duration of engagement recorded

Paired stimulus trial-based method

An approach based preference assessment procedure in which an individual makes choices between two stimuli at a time

Multiple stimulus w/ replacement

The item is removed from the array and the items not chosen are replaced with new ones

Multiple stimulus w/out replacement

The chosen item is removed from the array, the order or placement of the remaining items are rearranged and the next trial begins. Doesn't keep the chosen item.

What are the 4 functions of behavior?

Automatic/sensory, Escape, Attention, Access/tangible

Automatic function of behavior

A persons own movement, action or behaviors that are internally pleasing in some way. These behaviors do not require external reinforcement to occur or continue occurring

Escape function of behavior

The function of the behavior or avoid the situation, condition or stimulus.

E.g. Running away when someone walks up

Attention function of behavior

A person may gain some attention or a reaction from other people

E.g. Scolding, yelling, eye contact, talking, laughing

Access function of behavior

Some behaviors occur so the person can obtain a tangible item of its function

E.g. Candy, chips, coffee

Functional behavior assessment (FBA)

A systematic method of assessment for obtaining information about the purposes (function) a problem behavior serves for a person. Results are used to guide the design of an intervention that decreases the problem behavior and increases appropriate behavior

Indirect FBA

Uses interviews, checklists, rating scales or questionnaires used to obtain information from people who are familiar with the person exhibiting the problem behavior.

Indirect assessments are those that gather information about the behavior without recreating conditions or having the client react to the presence of an observer.

Descriptive FBA

Direct observation of problem behavior and the antecedent and consequent event under naturally occurring conditions

ABC recording

Records the behavior as well as what immediate events preceded it and what occurred as a consequence. it allows the behavior analyst to note what events are likely triggers for the behavior and what may be maintaining consequences.

Scatterplots

Two-dimensional graph, recording the extent to which a target behavior occurs more often at particular times than others

What does a well-written behavior support plan include?

Functions of behavior, OD, antecedent strategies

Behavior support plan (BSP)

A plan describing what to do to "change the likelihood of undesirable behaviors and how we will monitor our effectiveness"

Operational definition (OD)

A clear, objective, and measurable definition of the behavior

Observable behaviors

Can be noted through one of the senses and are typically described by action words such as touching, saying, writing, jumping

Measurable behaviors

Has to first be observable. Have a clear beginning.

Antecedent strategy

Includes a variety of procedures used to decrease the likelihood of the patient engaging in undesired behaviors.

Noncontingent Reinforcement (NCR)

The patient is given reinforcement on a schedule regardless of whether they demonstrate the behavior or not (freebe)

High-probability request sequence (HIGH-P)

Behavior momentum

An antecedent intervention in which 3-5 easy or mastered tasks are presented in quick succession immediately before presenting the new or more challenging request

Functional communication training (FCT)

Teaches patients to communicate wants and needs in more socially acceptable way through use of words, alternative communication

Consequence strategy

Includes a variety of procedures that are implemented when a behavior is occurring or has occurred to change the future dimension of that behavior

Positive programming

Refers to skill acquisition targets taught to help replace or reduce maladaptive behavior

Extinction

A procedure in which reinforcement of a previously reinforced behavior is discontinued, resulting in the behavior decreasing in the future

Escape extinction

Aversive task is not removed

Automatic extinction

Sensory consequences is masked or remove

E.g. gloves for nail biting, sunglasses

Response block procedure

Blocking behavior

Extinction burst

An immediate increase in problem behavior before it starts to decrease

Differential reinforcement

Is a procedure that reinforces desirable behavior while placing the problem behavior on extinction or not reinforcing it

Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior

Delivery of reinforcement when patient engages in alternative target behavior instead of targeted problem behavior

E.g. calls out during class, reinforces when raises hand

Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior

Reinforces behavior that cannot occur at the same time as the problem behavior (cannot happen at the same time)

Differential reinforcement of other behavior

Reinforces the absence of the problem behavior on a predetermined interval

E.g. Absence of hair pulling

Differential reinforcement of high rates

Reinforces higher rates or more occurrences of a behavior

E.g. Never raises hands, reinforces answering questions often

Differential reinforcement of low rates

Reinforces low rates of problem behavior

E.g. Says hi less = reinforces

What are the principles of dealing with challenging behavior?

- Least restrictive procedures

- Establish a supportive and therapeutic environment

- De-escalation and antecedent measures to minimize problem behavior

What are the levels of challenging behaviors?

- Disruptive or disorderly behavior

- Potentially injurious or destructive behavior

- Dangerous behavior

How do you manage challenging behavior?

-Look for environmental triggers

- Priming desired behaviors

What are the methods for de-escalation?

1. Facilitate communication

2. Prompt alternative/safer behavior

3. Wait it out

What is the purpose of an assessment?

To identify and define targets for behavior change. It helps guid us in creating affective and positive interventions.

What is in a well-written acquisition plan?

1. A definition of the skill to be acquired

2. a baseline

3. A clear goal

4. a detailed description of the procedures (SD,R,SR +/-, EC)

5. Reactive strategies

6. Data collection and display methods

7. Frequent review of data and circumstances

8. A plan for skill maintenance and termination of services

Full physical prompt

Provide complete guidance to complete a response hand over hand

Partial physical prompt

Moderate guide to complete a response

guiding hand by wrist

Full verbal prompt

Provide the entire verbal response to the patient to model or a complete verbal instruction of what is expected

Partial verbal prompt

Provide portion of the verbal response that is expected

Model Prompt

Provide the child with a complete demo of action requested

Gestural prompt

pointing to elicit a correct response

Positional prompt

Placing a correct stimuli or opportunity to correctly respond closer to the patient

Visual prompt

Provide a picture or other visual support

Time delay prompt

Gradually increase the time between the SD or the prompt allowing more time to get the correct response