Functions of Bx
Question: A client screams when a toy is removed. What is the most likely function?
Answer: Tangible
Question: What is extinction?
Answer: Withholding the reinforcement maintaining a behavior.
Question: What makes extinction "kind"?
Answer: The BT remains calm, respectful, and supportive.
Question: What is a replacement behavior?
Answer: An appropriate behavior that serves the same function.
Question: What does differential reinforcement mean?
Answer: Reinforcing desired behavior while withholding reinforcement for undesired behavior.
Question: A client drops to the floor when presented with work and the work is removed.
Answer: Escape
Question: True or False: Extinction means ignoring the child.
Answer: False
Question: Which statement is kinder?
A. "Stop crying." B. "I'll help when your body is calm."
Answer: B
Question: Instead of grabbing toys, what could a client be taught?
Answer: Requesting or asking appropriately.
Question: What are we reinforcing during extinction?
Answer: Replacement behaviors.
Question: A client repeatedly calls staff's name until staff responds.
Answer: Attention
Question: What is an extinction burst?
Answer: A temporary increase in behavior before it decreases.
Question: Can you be empathetic while withholding reinforcement?
Answer: Yes
Question: Instead of yelling for attention, what replacement skill could be taught?
Answer: Saying a name, tapping appropriately, raising a hand, etc.
Question: A client asks appropriately for a toy instead of screaming. What should happen?
Answer: Reinforce the appropriate request.
Question: A client hums and rocks while alone and continues even when no one responds.
Answer: Automatic Reinforcement
Question: Why is identifying the function important before using extinction?
Answer: Because extinction must target the maintaining reinforcer.
Question: What should accompany extinction whenever possible?
Answer: Teaching and reinforcing replacement behaviors.
Question: A replacement behavior should be easier, harder, or equally difficult as the problem behavior?
Answer: Easier or as easy as possible.
Question: Why is reinforcement important during extinction?
Answer: To strengthen the desired alternative behavior.
Scenario: A client begins throwing puzzle pieces when asked to complete a puzzle.
What function might be maintaining the behavior?
What additional information would you need?
Could be
Escape: Terminating the puzzle demand.
Attention: Eliciting a staff reaction.
Tangible: Disrupting the activity for preferred items.
Automatic: Sensory reinforcement from the action.
Additional Information Needed
Exact antecedent triggers (e.g., phrasing, task demand level).
Immediate consequences provided by staff.
Client skill level and prerequisite fine-motor abilities.
Setting events (e.g., sleep, illness, schedule changes).
Consistency across staff and environments.
Scenario: A client screams for attention. Staff immediately says, "Stop that!"
Ask:
Answer: No. Attention was still provided.
PICK A PEER TO BE THE CLIENT/BT
Scenario:
A client screams for a snack.
Challenge: One BT acts as the client and another demonstrates Kind Extinction.
Discussion: What language sounded supportive while still withholding reinforcement?
Role-Play
Scenario: A client elopes to escape work.
What replacement behavior would you teach?
Examples:
Scenario: A client usually whines for attention.
Challenge: Show:
Role-Play