Reinforcement in ABA

Reinforcement

Reinforcement is when the consequence of a behavior increases the likelihood of that behavior occurring more often in the future. It's a core component of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and is used to:

• Teach new skills.
• Teach alternatives to dangerous or maladaptive behaviors.

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement involves adding or giving something after a behavior occurs. This "something" isn't always tangible; it can include:

• Attention
• Activities

For example:

• A client zips their jacket independently, and you cheer for them. The cheering (attention) is positive reinforcement.

Negative Reinforcement

Negative reinforcement involves removing or taking something away after a behavior occurs. It's important to note that "negative" doesn't mean aversive or punishment.

• It means that taking something away after a behavior makes that behavior more likely to occur in the future.

For example:

• Piper sees a spider and asks her technician to remove it. The technician removes the spider.
• The removal of the spider makes it more likely that Piper will ask for help again if she sees a spider in the future.

Ways to Use Reinforcement to Reduce Target Behaviors

• Reinforcing Alternative Skills: Give reinforcement when the client uses a newly taught skill instead of the target behavior.
• Reinforcing Absence of Target Behavior: Provide reinforcement when the client shows zero instances of the target behavior for a certain amount of time.
• Reinforcing Lower Levels of Target Behavior: Give reinforcement when the client engages in lower-than-average levels of the target behavior over a specific period.

Using Reinforcement to Encourage New Skills

• Provide reinforcement immediately after the client performs the skill or task you're teaching.

Examples of Reinforcers

Besides tangible items, consider:

• Praise
• Breaks from work tasks
• Access to a desired activity