Following Through with Demands
Why is it important to follow through with reasonable demands after behavior occurs?
To avoid reinforcing escape behaviors
What function of behavior involves getting out of work or demands?
Escape
What is an antecedent strategy? ๐ค
A proactive strategy used before behavior occurs.
What is reinforcement used for?
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Increasing future behavior.
What should staff do FIRST during dangerous behavior?
Ensure safety
What does "working through behaviors" mean in ABA?
Continuing instruction safely while following the treatment plan
A learner hits to gain access to an iPad. What is the function? ๐ฑ
Tangible.
Which is better: preparing a learner for transitions or avoiding transitions completely?
Preparing the learner using antecedent strategies.
What is a replacement behavior?
An appropriate behavior that serves the same function as the challenging behavior.
Why should staff remain calm during behaviors? ๐ฃ๐ง๐ฝโโ๏ธโฏ
To avoid escalating or reinforcing the challenging behaviors.
What happens if demands are consistently removed after problem behavior?
The behavior may increase because escape is reinforced.
A learner starts to engage in elopement every time their technician talks to another technician. What is the function?
Attention
Give one example of an antecedent strategy.
Visual schedules, choices, priming, first/then statements, timer, transition warnings, and etc.
A learner appropriately says โhelp meโ instead of engaging in problem behavior. What should staff do?
Immediately reinforce the communication response and provide assistance if appropriate.
Why is it important for staff to follow the behavior intervention plan exactly as written instead of making changes in the moment?
It ensures treatment integrity, keeps the learner safe, and allows interventions to be consistently effective and accurately evaluated by the supervising BCBA.
What does maintaining instructional control mean?
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Following through calmly and consistently with expectations
A learner appropriately asks for a break instead of engaging in aggression. What is this called?
Replacement behavior.
True or False: Avoiding all difficult tasks is an antecedent strategy.
False.
Why is is BEST to deliver reinforcement immediately after an appropriate response?
To strengthen the connection between the behavior and the positive outcome so the learner is more likely to repeat the correct response in the future.
Why is avoiding programs because behaviors may occur inappropriate?
It may reinforce escape behaviors and limit learner progress.
Some staff may feel that following through with demands is โforcingโ a learner to do something they do not want to do. Why is following through still important when done appropriately and safely?
Following through appropriately helps learners build independence, flexibility, and tolerance for non-preferred tasks while teaching that challenging behavior does not result in escaping expectations. Staff should still provide support, reinforcement, breaks when appropriate, and use antecedent strategies to help the learner succeed safely.
What are the four functions of behavior?
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Attention, escape, tangible, and automatic (sensory).
What is the difference between antecedent strategies and avoiding behaviors?
Antecedent strategies prepare learners for success while still maintaining expectations. Avoiding behaviors reinforces the behaviors and increases the likelihood of the behavior.
Why is it important to heavily reinforce appropriate behavior throughout the session, especially when a learner is doing well, rather than only reacting to challenging behavior?
Frequent reinforcement of appropriate behavior strengthens skill development, reduces the likelihood of attention-seeking or escape-maintained challenging behavior, and helps the learner learn that appropriate behavior is the most efficient and reliable way to access attention, items, and support.
During a session, a learner escalates and the RBT is unsure whether to continue demands or provide a break. What should the RBT do?
Follow the behavior intervention plan as written and contact the supervising BCBA for guidance if clarification is needed.