Most of the success of a typical ABA program, especially in the beginning, will be contingent upon the strength of the reinforcers. Reinforcers are very important on getting and shaping the desired behavior. For example, the most common everyday life reinforcer is a paycheck. This is not bribery, we all get a paycheck at the end of the month. A reinforcement lets the student be rewarded for the correct behavior, and reminds the student of good behavior. “If I sit in this chair, I get the reinforcer”. The child remembers the desired behavior. Unlike bribery, “When I fuss and then quit, I get the reinforcer.” The child remembers the negative behavior.
What is a reinforcer? Anything a person selects in a free choice situation can be used as a reinforcer. It can be very tangible, like candy or an everyday event like listening to music, going for a walk, being tickled or having their back rubbed.
How do you find your reinforcers? Observation is the best way to find your reinforcers. What does the child desire? Or you can expose them to different items that could be potentially reinforcing. They may need to learn how to operate a new toy, and learn how exciting it could be. Then they become interested in earning more of this wonderful reinforcer. When you find a strong reinforcer, put it up and the child should only have access to it at certain times for certain behaviors.
In our program, we have found that the best reinforcers are the ones the therapist controls. Tickles are something the child asks for and the therapist can control the beginning and end. Bubbles have been a big reinforcer. The child has to ask for the bubbles and the therapist controls it. The bubbles never leave the therapist hand, but it is very rewarding for the child to pop the bubbles. Then when the bubbles are all popped it is time to work for more. Spinning in a chair has a beginning and an end; and, it is controlled by a therapist when the therapist stops it from spinning.
"Different reinforcers will have different values. Some are just okay and others are “to die for!” It is critical to have a full range of reinforcers so that you can utilize differential reinforcement; that is, you want to provide extraordinary reinforcement for extraordinary behavior, and good reinforcement for good behavior and OK reinforcement for OK behavior." ("A Work In Progress")
For the 15 rules of Reinforcement, refer to page 32-33 of "A Work In Progress" by Ron Leaf and John McEachin. This is the first book in our list of "Must-Read Books" and you will find it invaluable to your program.
Typically, in the beginning of a program, reinforcement is provided on a VERY frequent basis. Initially, your child may require reinforcement every few minutes for the ABSENCE of disruptive behavior. More important, the presence of appropriate behavior should result in even stronger reinforcement.
You will find many valuable books, tapes and conference info at the Future Horizons website about ABA. Future Horizons is a company specializing in products related to Autism Spectrum Disorders. This is the FIRST place to look for books and tapes on Autism because that is what they SPECIALIZE in providing.