Terminology
Any event, action, or stimulus that occurs immediately before a target behavior, acting as a trigger or cue
Antecedent
A type of verbal operant where a speaker repeats the vocal sounds, words, or phrases spoken by another person, functioning like an echo
Echoic
A client completes a puzzle correctly and the therapist immediately gives them a sticker. The client begins completing puzzles more often.
Positive Reinforcement
Actions aimed at gaining social interaction, reaction, or acknowledgment from others
Attention
A child receives a token every single time they correctly hand a puzzle piece to the therapist during a table activity, with no exceptions.
This is?
Continuous Measurement
Any observable and measurable action or response an individual makes, representing an interaction with their environment
Behavior
A simple request for something a person wants or needs
Mand
A client throws a tantrum when asked to complete a difficult task. The therapist removes the task for a short break. The client now tantrums strategically when they want the task removed.
Negative Reinforcement
A behavior that occurs because the individual wants to get a specific item, activity, or food
Access
A RBT gives a client a break after an average of 3 minutes of staying in their seat quietly, but the exact timing varies unpredictably (sometimes 2 minutes, sometimes 4). The child learns to stay on task consistently because they don’t know exactly when the break will come.
Variable Interval
Checking this before session will ensure you are up to date on client’s goals
Client Updates
a type of verbal behavior where an individual labels, names, or identifies an object, action, or event in their environment based on sensory input
Tact
A nonverbal child touches a picture card to request a snack. The therapist hands them the snack immediately. Over time, the child uses the picture card more frequently to make requests.
Positive Reinforcement
a 5-year-old client throws blocks whenever the therapist begins a non-preferred puzzle. Each time, the therapist removes the puzzle and gives the child a short break before re-presenting it.
Escape
An RBT provides a break to a child every 5 minutes if they stay in their seat and work quietly, regardless of how many tasks they complete in that time.
What reinforcement schedule is this?
Fixed Interval
The process of a therapist building rapport by associating themselves with a client's favorite items or activities
Pairing
A type of verbal operant where a speaker responds to another person's verbal behavior
Intraverbal
A child rocks in their chair to escape a loud group activity. The therapist moves the child to a quieter area. The rocking behavior increases in future sessions when they want quiet.
Negative Reinforcement
During table work, a child repeatedly rubs the edge of the table with their fingers. They continue even when the therapist is giving clear instructions and no one is watching.
What function is this behavior?
Automatic
5-year-old client earns a sticker after every 4 completed tasks during table work. After earning 5 stickers, the client exchanges them for 3 minutes of iPad time. What reinforcement schedule is being used?
Fixed Ratio
A therapist teaches a child to ask for “help” politely during therapy. Later, the child uses the same phrase to request help from their teacher or parent. This is an example of:
Generalization
Following directions or responding to the verbal behavior of others (e.g., "Give me the book").
Listener Responding
During a therapy session, a child engages in hand-flapping when instructions are too difficult. The therapist removes the difficult task for a short break. The child now flaps hands strategically when they want tasks removed.
Negative Reinforcement
A client has just finished a preferred activity. The RBT then asks the child to start a non-preferred table activity. The child immediately starts yelling and throws a pencil. The RBT briefly ignores the behavior, but after 20 seconds, provides verbal attention and allows the child a short break before re-presenting the task.
What is the function of behavior?
Escape & Access
An 8-year-old client earns a token after completing an unpredictable number of math problems—sometimes after 2 correct responses, sometimes after 5, sometimes after 3. On average, reinforcement occurs after every 4 correct responses. The client maintains a high and steady rate of responding with very few pauses. This is what kind of reinforcement schedule?
Variable Ratio