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Reinforcement Strategies Resource Package NOTE: This package consists of strategies which may or may not assist in responding to behaviour. It is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or treatment from a qualified behaviour clinician.
Reinforcement Reinforcement is delivered immediately after the behaviour occurs – which will increase the likelihood that the behaviour will occur in the future. Example: John asks nicely for the iPad, caregiver immediately provides the iPad, and praises him verbally for asking appropriately. “Great job asking for the iPad John”. Next time, John will probably ask for the iPad nicely, because this experience was positive for him.
Effective Ways to Deliver Reinforcement • Be Immediate – Reinforce them the moment they complete the task! Make sure they know what they did well. • Be Distinct – Use a different tone or level of volume to show you are reinforcing them. Make it stand out! • Be Descriptive – Specifically describe what they did well (e.g., “Great job putting your cup on the counter”). • Use Preferred Items – Make sure they want that specific item that they are working for or will be reinforced with! • Keep it Varied – Use many different items to reinforce the behaviour (e.g., iPad, Tim Hortons, TV show).
Catch them Doing the Task • One of the easiest ways to use reinforcement is by catching the individual doing the skill. • Choose a behaviour you are likely to see more often (e.g. hand washing). • When you see them completing this task on their own – reinforce that behaviour!
Possible Reinforcers Not everybody enjoys the same things and that is okay! It’s important to figure out what is reinforcing to that specific individual. If possible – ask the individual what they want as their ‘reward’.
Social Reinforcers
Activity Reinforcers
Material Reinforcers
Edible Reinforcers
High-5’s
Dancing
TV
Timbits
Hugs
Going outside
Video games
Candy
Back scratches
A story
Puzzles
Chocolate
Thumbs up
Trampoline
iPad
Ice cream
Squeezes
Reading
YouTube
Fruit
Hearing how great they did
Going for a walk
Cards
Vegetable
Going for a walk
Board game
Comic book
Chips
If the individual cannot verbally tell you what they may want, you can offer them the items and allow the individual to make the choice. Make sure you are offering items the individual really enjoys or you see them engaging in or wanting to have often.
So what happens if you reinforce the behaviour with something the individual does not like?
The behaviour may not become strengthened – if it doesn’t become strengthened it may be less likely to happen again.
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