Strategy
Statements that include "first..., then..."
Premack Principle
Robbie wants a candy bar. His mom says "You can't have a candy bar, but you can have a cookie or fruit snacks."
Providing choices
A device that will give an individual a clear explanation of what is expected of them for time to work on that specific skill
Timer
Lana is practicing tacting household items with her BT Vanessa. Vanessa gives Lana a token for every two items that Lana tacts. Lana earns all ten tokens and mom gives Lana her favorite coloring book.
Token Economy
Mom is supposed to give Caleb his tablet instead of asking him to clean up, or should have awarded the 5th token for cleaning up.
A strategy that is used to prepare individuals for a situation or task by providing them with relevant information beforehand
Priming
Mia is trying to download an app, but it requires parent permission. She begins to whine. Her mom says "Mia, use your words."
Functional Communication Training/FCT
A specific number of generalized reinforcers are earned and exchanged for access to a backup reinforcer.
Token Economy
Sebastian is struggling to snap his fingers during fine motor skills with his speech therapist. His speech therapist points to a picture that shows a child relaxing in a chair and says "break." Sebastian hands his speech therapist the break card.
PECS/Icons
Brian wants to play outside, but it started raining. His mom says "You can only play with your nerf gun outside and you can't go out while it's raining." Brian runs to the slider and starts kicking the door.
Mom could have provided choices for two alternate activities for Brian to engage in.
The presentation of a reinforcer, independent of the presence of a specific behavior.
Non-Contingent Reinforcement/NCR
James points at his Nintendo Switch. His BT Sara says "First work, then Nintendo."
Premack Principle
A designated portion of time that may allow a child to de-escalate from the sensory stimulation of the environment
Sensory breaks
When BT Jessica sees her client Freddie rocking in his chair, placing his hands next to his ears, and wiggling his fingers in a tightly controlled motion, she hands him a Pop-it to use before beginning his next vocal imitation trial.
Sensory Break
Yasmin's mom wants her to work at the coffee table with her BT Lauren, but when her brothers Josh and Jared come home from school, they like to play Call of Duty on the living room TV. Yasmin struggles to focus with her BT Nicole and tends to elope from the coffee table.
Ecological Arrangement; Yasmin's mom can ask her sons to play after therapy or use a different area for Yasmin to work with her BT.
This strategy aims to teach learners how to use communication as a means of getting their needs met.
Functional Communication Training/FCT
Abigail is watching tv. Her dad says "In ten minutes, TV is all done."
Priming
A technique that uses pictures or symbols to teach expressive communication skills to people with limited communication skills.
PECS/Icons
Before his ABA session starts, Mateo's mom turns the TV off and asks his sister to close her bedroom door while playing her music. Mom puts up a baby gate to prevent Mateo from running upstairs.
Ecological Arrangement
Abigail's dad shuts the tv off in the middle of Paw Patrol and says "go get your shoes so we can leave for school." Abigail throws herself down and tantrums for 19 minutes and is late for school.
Abigail's dad could have used a timer to show Abigail what time he would shut the tv off or primed Abigail ("Ten more minutes, then Paw Patrol is all done.")
This strategy offers individuals choices and options within structured activities.
Providing Choices
Axel normally likes to jump and kick the coffee table when he watches Ninjago. He is bouncing on his yoga ball while watching Ninjago. His mom Samantha says "Awesome bouncing!" and gives him a high five.
Non-contingent reinforcement
This involves purposefully planning the placement and organization of classroom materials, furniture, and activities to promote appropriate behaviors and decrease the likelihood of problem behavior.
Ecological Arrangement
BT Maria sets her phone alarm for 2 minutes to show her client Victor how long he needs to brush his teeth.
Timer
Michael is nonverbal and uses a small PECS system provided by speech. He is playing with a 600 piece lego set he just got for his birthday. He wants to play outside, but his mom wants him to clean up all 600 legos from the floor. After picking up 5 pieces, Michael starts to whine. His mom says "You have to clean up." Michael begins to cry, yell, and throw himself on the floor.
Michael's mom can prompt Michael to use his PECS board to mand for escape (Break card) or mand for assistance (Help card).