Reinforcement Strategies: What is this Cornerstone of ABA Therapy & How to Use It?

Reinforcement is a cornerstone strategy in behavioral intervention. Understanding how to use it effectively can significantly improve the teaching of desirable behaviors and reduce challenging ones.

As you can imagine, the principle holds immense power in therapy settings, educational environments, and even our daily interactions. Whether you’re a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or a parent, this guide will provide you with essential insights into reinforcement techniques.

The Basics of Reinforcement

Reinforcement involves providing a preferred item or activity to a child following a response, which increases the likelihood that the response will happen again. These preferred items or actions are called reinforcers and can include praise, hugs, preferred toys, and more. The key to reinforcement is that it must increase the future probability of the behavior’s recurrence.

Consider a teacher who wants to encourage her students to participate more during class discussions. She decides to use stickers as a form of reinforcement. Each time a student contributes a thoughtful comment or question during the discussion, they receive a sticker. 

If the student response rates increase, the stickers are a direct application of reinforcement — the act of participating in class discussions (the specific behavior) is immediately followed by a preferred item (receiving a sticker). The students, motivated by the prospect of earning stickers, become more likely to engage in discussions. This simple strategy elevates class participation, demonstrating how reinforcement can be effectively used to increase desired behaviors.

Understanding the Distinction: Reinforcement vs. Reward

We often encounter the terms “reinforcer” and “reward” being used interchangeably. Yet, there’s a subtle but significant difference between them that is crucial for effectively guiding behavior.

A reinforcer is a specific type of stimulus that, when introduced following a behavior, reliably increases the likelihood of that behavior occurring again in the future. In contrast, a reward might not have this effect.  A reward is simply a positive outcome or item given in response to a behavior, but without necessarily influencing future occurrences of that behavior.

Choose the Right Reinforcement

This subtle difference highlights why choosing the correct form of reinforcement is essential – especially when our goal is to increase positive behaviors in our learners.

It’s not only about providing a reinforcer, but ensuring that it functions as effective reinforcement. This means selecting items or outcomes that the client values enough to be motivated by, something they are genuinely willing to “work” for.

Consider How Motivation is Unique

However, the challenge doesn’t stop there. What motivates one learner might not hold the same appeal for another, emphasizing the importance of personalized approaches in reinforcement strategies.

Furthermore, children’s interests and preferences evolve, meaning an evolving approach to reinforcement is necessary. Regularly updating and rotating the reinforcers can help maintain their effectiveness, ensuring that learners don’t lose interest too quickly.

Catch Them Being Good

A powerful way to positively impact a child’s behavior is to “catch them being good.” Since attention is often a strong reinforcer, praising a child for positive behavior teaches them what you want them to do and increases the likelihood of that behavior recurring.

Be specific in your praise. Instead of just saying, “Nice job,” tell the child exactly what they did well.  For instance, “Nice job sharing your truck, Jake!” This specificity helps children understand the desired behavior.

Limit Access to Reinforcers

Equally important is managing access to potential reinforcers. If a child has unrestricted access to these items outside the structured context of reinforcement, their value as motivators can diminish. Limiting access to reinforcers ensures that these items remain desirable and effective as tools for encouraging positive behaviors.

Avoid Reinforcing Negative Behaviors

Be mindful of how reinforcers are used, as it’s possible to unintentionally reinforce negative behaviors.

For example, if a child’s attention-seeking behavior is met with attention, even if it’s a reprimand, it may reinforce the unwanted behavior. Similarly, using time-out for a child who dislikes following requests may inadvertently reinforce their misbehavior by allowing them to escape the demand.

Practical Tips for Using Reinforcement

Reinforcement extends far beyond therapy sessions. It’s a fundamental aspect of how we interact, learn, and grow. From the way parents guide their children to the methods teachers use to encourage student participation, reinforcement shapes much of our behavior and motivations.

• Consistency is Key: Use reinforcers consistently to establish a clear connection between the behavior and the reinforcement.
• Immediate: Provide reinforcement immediately after the desired behavior to strengthen the association.
• Vary Reinforcers: Rotate different reinforcers to maintain their effectiveness and prevent the child from becoming tired of one particular item or action.
• Monitor Progress: Continuously observe the child’s behavior and make adjustments as needed to ensure the reinforcement strategy remains effective.

Reinforcement is a powerful tool for promoting positive behaviors and fostering learning and development. Whether through the application of positive reinforcement to encourage specific actions or the strategic removal of negative stimuli to enhance motivation, understanding and utilizing reinforcement principles can lead to significant improvements in behavior. By adopting these strategies, you can help learners develop more positive behaviors.