by Jaime Friedman

November 11, 2023

Differential Reinforcement ABA Strategies

At Aspire Child and Family Services, we understand the importance of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ABA therapy employs a range of techniques, including differential reinforcement ABA strategies, to teach new skills and address challenging behaviors. One of the fundamental elements of ABA therapy is differential reinforcement ABA approaches, a strategy that focuses on encouraging desired behaviors while minimizing attention to undesired ones. Our focus now turns to the concept of differential reinforcement in ABA therapy, its various forms, and how our team is dedicated to applying differential reinforcement ABA techniques to provide the best support for your child.

What is Differential Reinforcement?

Differential reinforcement is a behavior management technique that involves reinforcing desired behaviors while ignoring or punishing undesired behaviors. This method relies on the idea that rewards or consequences for actions influence how we learn and choose our behaviors. In ABA therapy, differential reinforcement is used to increase the frequency of desired behaviors and decrease the frequency of undesired behaviors.

Types of Differential Reinforcement

There are several types of differential reinforcement used in ABA therapy, each with its own specific purpose and application. These include:

Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)

Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA) involves reinforcing a desired behavior while ignoring an undesirable one. This technique is used when the undesirable behavior is replaced with a more appropriate behavior. For example, if a child is throwing objects when they are angry, the therapist may reinforce the child by using a calm voice to express their feelings instead.

Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)

Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI) involves reinforcing a behavior that is incompatible with the desired behavior. This technique is used when the undesirable behavior cannot occur at the same time as the desired behavior. For example, if a child is hitting their sibling, the therapist may reinforce the child by playing with a toy instead.

Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO)

Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO) involves reinforcing any behavior other than the undesired behavior. This technique is used when the undesirable behavior is not replaced by a specific alternative behavior. For example, if a child is engaging in self-injurious behavior, the therapist may reinforce the child for engaging in any other behavior, such as playing with a toy or sitting quietly.

Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates (DRL)

Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates (DRL) involves reinforcing a behavior that occurs at a lower rate than the desired behavior. This technique is used when the undesired behavior is not completely eliminated, but the goal is to decrease its frequency. For example, if a child is engaging in repetitive behaviors, the therapist may reinforce the child for engaging in the behavior at a lower rate.

Examples of Reinforcement and Punishment in ABA Therapy

Reinforcement and punishment are two key components of differential reinforcement in ABA therapy. Reinforcement involves increasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future, while punishment involves decreasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future. Let’s take a closer look at some examples of reinforcement and punishment in ABA therapy.

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future. In ABA therapy, positive reinforcement is often used to increase the frequency of desired behaviors. For example, a therapist may give a child a sticker for completing a task, which increases the likelihood of the child completing the task again in the future.

Negative Reinforcement

Negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future. In ABA therapy, negative reinforcement is often used to increase the frequency of desired behaviors. For example, a therapist may remove a loud noise when a child engages in a desired behavior, which increases the likelihood of the child engaging in the behavior again in the future.

Positive Punishment

Positive punishment involves adding an aversive stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future. In ABA therapy, positive punishment is often used to decrease the frequency of undesired behaviors. For example, a therapist may give a child a time-out for hitting their sibling, which decreases the likelihood of the child hitting their sibling again in the future.

Negative Punishment

Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future. In ABA therapy, negative punishment is often used to decrease the frequency of undesired behaviors. For example, a therapist may take away a toy for throwing objects, which decreases the likelihood of the child throwing objects again in the future.

Schedules of Reinforcement in ABA Therapy

In ABA therapy, reinforcement can be delivered on a continuous or intermittent schedule. A continuous schedule involves reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs, while an intermittent schedule involves reinforcing a behavior only some of the time. There are four types of intermittent schedules of reinforcement used in ABA therapy:

Fixed Ratio (FR)

Fixed Ratio (FR) involves reinforcing a behavior after a set number of responses. For example, a therapist may reinforce a child after every five correct responses.

Variable Ratio (VR)

Variable Ratio (VR) involves reinforcing a behavior after an average number of responses. For example, a therapist may reinforce a child after an average of five correct responses, but the actual number of responses may vary.

Fixed Interval (FI)

Fixed Interval (FI) involves reinforcing a behavior after a set amount of time has passed. For example, a therapist may reinforce a child after 5 minutes of appropriate behavior.

Variable Interval (VI)

Variable Interval (VI) involves reinforcing a behavior after an average amount of time has passed. For example, a therapist may reinforce a child after an average of 5 minutes of appropriate behavior, but the actual time may vary.

Assessment in ABA Therapy

Assessment is a crucial part of ABA therapy, as it allows therapists to identify the behaviors that need to be targeted and determine the most effective treatment plan. There are several types of assessments used in ABA therapy, including:

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) involves identifying the function of a behavior or the reason why the behavior occurs. This assessment helps therapists understand the underlying cause of a behavior and develop an effective treatment plan.

Preference Assessment

Preference Assessment involves identifying the preferred items or activities of an individual. This assessment helps therapists determine the most effective reinforcers to use in therapy.

Skills Assessment

Skills Assessment involves identifying the skills that an individual has and the skills that they need to learn. This assessment helps therapists develop an individualized treatment plan that targets specific skills.

Reinforcer Assessment in ABA Therapy

Reinforcer assessment is a critical step in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy that helps therapists identify which stimuli will be most effective in encouraging desired behaviors. The process involves presenting different types of reinforcement to the individual and observing their response. This could range from tangible rewards, like toys or snacks, to social reinforcements such as praise or additional privileges. The goal is to determine what the individual finds most motivating, as a more preferred reinforcer is likely to have a stronger effect on their behavior.

In practice, therapists may conduct a variety of assessments, such as multiple stimulus with replacement (MSW), multiple stimulus without replacement (MSWO), paired stimulus (PS), or single stimulus (SS) assessments. Each of these methods provides insights into the individual’s preferences and helps in building a tailored ABA program. For example, in a paired stimulus assessment, two potential reinforcers are presented simultaneously, and the choice made by the individual indicates their preference. This information is then used to structure reinforcement schedules that will best support the individual's learning and development of new, positive behaviors.

Positive Reinforcement in ABA Therapy

Positive reinforcement is a cornerstone of ABA therapy, as it is one of the most effective methods for increasing the frequency of a desired behavior. In the context of ABA, positive reinforcement involves presenting a motivating item to the individual after a desired behavior has occurred. The aim is to make the behavior more likely to happen again in the future by associating it with a positive outcome.

For instance, if a child completes a challenging task, they might be rewarded with their favorite snack or extra playtime. The key is consistency; the reinforcement must be presented immediately after the desired behavior to create a strong link between the two. It’s also essential for the reinforcement to be contingent on the specific behavior, ensuring that the child understands what action is being rewarded. Over time, this strategy helps to strengthen the desired behavior, making it a natural part of the individual's repertoire. Positive reinforcement is not only effective but also promotes a positive therapeutic relationship and increases the individual's motivation to engage in the learning process.

Noncontingent Reinforcement in ABA Therapy

Noncontingent Reinforcement (NCR) involves providing a reinforcer on a fixed schedule, regardless of the individual’s behavior. This technique is used to reduce the occurrence of challenging behaviors by providing the individual with the desired item or activity before they engage in the undesired behavior. For example, if a child engages in tantrums to get attention, the therapist may provide attention on a fixed schedule to reduce the occurrence of tantrums.

Negative Reinforcement in ABA

It is important to note the difference between negative reinforcement and punishment in ABA therapy. While both involve decreasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future, negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future, while punishment involves adding an aversive stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future.

Differential reinforcement is a key component of ABA therapy, as it allows therapists to increase the frequency of desired behaviors and decrease the frequency of undesired behaviors. By using various forms of differential reinforcement, therapists can effectively teach new skills and reduce challenging behaviors in individuals with ASD. If you are considering ABA therapy for your child, be sure to ask about the use of differential reinforcement in their treatment plan.