When a child engages in a challenging behavior, parents naturally want to know what they can do to help. Should they ignore the behavior? Offer praise when their child makes a better choice? Or try something else?
In ABA therapy, different strategies are used depending on why a behavior is happening and what a child is being taught to do instead. Two concepts parents may hear about are extinction and positive reinforcement.
This blog will explore the concepts of extinction and positive reinforcement, highlighting when and how to use each method effectively in ABA therapy in Alpharetta.
Understanding Extinction
Extinction involves reducing or eliminating a behavior by removing the reinforcement that previously maintained it. Essentially, if a behavior is no longer rewarded or acknowledged, it is likely to diminish over time.
How It Works:
When a specific behavior is reinforced, the likelihood of that behavior recurring increases. Extinction works by discontinuing the reinforcement, thereby reducing the behavior’s frequency and eventually leading to its disappearance. For example, if a child throws a tantrum to gain attention and the attention is consistently withheld, the tantrum may eventually decrease.
When to Use:
Extinction is most effective for behaviors that are maintained by specific reinforcements, such as attention, access to items, or escape from tasks. It is particularly useful for reducing undesirable behaviors that have been reinforced in the past. However, it is important to be prepared for an initial increase in the behavior, known as an extinction burst, before it begins to decline.
Understanding Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement involves increasing the likelihood of a behavior by providing a reward or positive outcome following the behavior. The key is to offer something desirable rewards immediately after the desired behavior occurs, thereby encouraging its repetition.
How It Works:
Positive reinforcement strengthens a behavior by associating it with a positive consequence. For instance, if a child completes their homework and is immediately rewarded with praise or a small treat, they are more likely to repeat the behavior in the future. The reward can be tangible (e.g., toys, stickers) or intangible (e.g., verbal praise, extra playtime).
When to Use:
Positive reinforcement is ideal for promoting and establishing new behaviors or skills. It is particularly effective in situations where you want to encourage specific actions or behaviors, such as completing tasks, engaging in appropriate social interactions, or developing new skills. It helps build motivation and reinforces positive behaviors, leading to long-term improvements.
Why Are These Strategies Sometimes Used Together?
Extinction and positive reinforcement can address two sides of the same behavior pattern.
Suppose a child frequently drops to the floor when they want a break from a difficult activity. If dropping to the floor has consistently resulted in escaping the activity, that outcome may be maintaining the behavior.
A therapist may teach the child an appropriate way to request a break. The appropriate request can then be reinforced while the treatment plan addresses the reinforcement previously maintaining the challenging behavior. This approach focuses not only on what to reduce, but also on what to teach instead.
That’s an important part of effective ABA therapy. Children need practical skills they can use to communicate their needs and navigate everyday situations.
Choosing Between Extinction and Positive Reinforcement
Behavioral Goals
- Extinction: Use extinction when the goal during an ABA therapy is to reduce or eliminate an undesirable behavior that is being maintained by a specific reinforcement. It is effective for behaviors that are disruptive or inappropriate and have been reinforced in the past.
- Positive Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement when the goal is to increase the occurrence of desirable behaviors. It is useful for teaching new skills, encouraging appropriate actions, and motivating individuals to engage in positive behaviors.
Behavioral History
Extinction: Consider extinction for behaviors that have been reinforced repeatedly and have become a habit. It is essential to identify the type of reinforcement that maintains the behavior to effectively apply extinction.
Positive Reinforcement: Implement positive reinforcement for behaviors that are not yet established or need enhancement. It is beneficial for behaviors that require continuous encouragement and support.
Potential Challenges
- Extinction: Be aware of the potential for an extinction burst, where the behavior may temporarily increase in intensity before decreasing. Ensure that the removal of reinforcement is consistent and that alternative strategies are in place to manage any temporary increases in the behavior.
- Positive Reinforcement: Ensure that the rewards provided are genuinely motivating for the individual. Avoid over-reliance on extrinsic rewards, and gradually transition to more natural forms of reinforcement as the behavior becomes more consistent.
Combining Both Strategies
In many cases, a combination of extinction and positive reinforcement can be effective. For example, you might use extinction to reduce an unwanted behavior while simultaneously using positive reinforcement to encourage an alternative, desirable behavior. Priming in ABA can also help prepare individuals for transitions or introducing new activities, which reduces anxiety and increases the likelihood of success with the desired behavior. This approach helps address the behavior from multiple angles and supports overall behavior modification goals.
Conclusion
Both extinction and positive reinforcement play crucial roles in ABA therapy, each with its own applications and benefits. Understanding when and how to use each method effectively can lead to more successful behavior management and skill development. Extinction is useful for reducing unwanted behaviors by removing their reinforcement, while positive reinforcement is key for promoting and establishing desirable behaviors through rewarding outcomes.
At Wonderway ABA, individualized ABA therapy can help children build meaningful skills through strategies designed around their unique needs and goals. Parents can also learn how to support these skills during everyday routines and activities.
Ready to learn more about ABA therapy for your child? Explore how Childwise ABA can support your child’s next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is extinction the same as ignoring a child?
No. Extinction means discontinuing the specific reinforcement that has been maintaining a behavior. Simply ignoring a child without understanding why the behavior is happening is not the same thing. ABA professionals first consider the function of the behavior and whether extinction is appropriate.
Is positive reinforcement the same as giving a child a reward?
Not necessarily. In ABA, reinforcement is defined by its effect on behavior. If a consequence increases the likelihood that a behavior will happen again, it functions as reinforcement. What works as reinforcement can vary from child to child.
Can extinction and positive reinforcement be used together?
Yes. In some treatment plans, an ABA therapist may address a challenging behavior while simultaneously reinforcing an appropriate replacement behavior. This gives the child a more effective way to communicate or respond.
Should parents use extinction at home?
Parents should follow the strategies recommended by their child’s ABA therapy team rather than attempting extinction independently. A therapist can explain why a behavior occurs, whether extinction is appropriate, what replacement skill to teach, and how to respond safely and consistently.