A Brief Guide to Using Reinforcer Assessments

Today we will be discussing how to use reinforcer assessments. 

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Penelope Webb 0:00

Welcome to The Exceptional Humans Podcast, where we discuss questions related to language, identity, education, and behavior. I'm your host, Penelope and I have a background in education, linguistics, and behavioral science. Today we will be discussing how to use reinforcer assessments. But firstly, we need to discuss what a reinforcer assessment is. A reinforcer assessment is a systematic process designed to identify what sort of stimuli, for example, an object, an activity, the use of praise, might be effective in increasing the likelihood of a specific target behavior occurring. These target behaviors are often things that an individual finds difficult or that are less preferred. The first step in conducting a reinforcer assessment is to identify the task you will be reinforcing. This is normally a task that the individual does not enjoy or finds difficult. Some examples may include having a shower completing a school-based task, such as homework or turning off a device immediately after being requested to do so. The second step is to decide whether the task can be completed easily as a single action, or whether the task needs to be divided into smaller, easier to complete chunks. Making the task easier to complete by approaching it as a whole or chunking the task will increase the chances of successful task completion, as well as reducing the risk of escalating behaviors of concern and interpersonal conflict. Having a shower is best completed as a single action due to the health and safety risks associated with dividing the task into chunks. Whilst completing a school based task is best divided into smaller chunks, because the task is generally complex involving multiple steps. Turning off a device is best completed as a single action because the task does not generally involve multiple complex steps. The third step is to select between three and five highly preferred items and or activities to include in the reinforcer assessment. If possible, involve the individual in deciding which items and activities are included. Use something to represent preferred activities, example socks for an outdoor activity or a remote for online gaming. Place the highly preferred items and activities on a flat surface close to where the task you will be reinforcing is being completed. Providing a selection of highly preferred items or activities increases the likelihood of the individual accessing reinforcement rather than reward. Reinforcers might include things such as edible items, snacks and drinks, access to preferred activities such as games, access to preferred items such as toys and devices, access to a break, access to a preferred sensory item or input such as music, access to attention, such as time spent discussing a special interest. There are a few other things to consider. For edible items consider what would be a reasonable reinforcer for the task. For example, three chocolate buttons might be an appropriate reinforcer, but three cans of Coke would be an inappropriate reinforcer. For non consumable reinforcers that do not have a natural end time, assign a time limit to each reinforcer. Consider what a reasonable time limit is for the task. For example, 15 minutes on a device for completing a 15 minute shower routine might be appropriate, but watching Despicable Me for completing three simple addition sums might not be appropriate. Ensure that the reinforcer does not contradict the behavior you are reinforcing. For example, accessing five minutes on a device for immediately turning off a device when requested may not reduce behaviors around devices. Ensure that these factors are decided and discussed before beginning the task. The fourth step is to complete the task. Step five involves immediately allowing the individual to select a reinforcer for successful task completion. Providing immediate access to the individual's preferred reinforcer, assist in creating positive behavior change. Rewards do not have the same impact on behavior. Some examples may include watching an episode of Bluey after the individual completes their shower routine. Having a five minute break on the couch after completing three word problems on a maths worksheet. Eating a biscuit after immediately turning off a device when requested to do so. Repeat steps four and five for tasks that have been divided into smaller, easier to complete chunks. You can replace highly preferred items and activities once they have been accessed, allowing them to be accessed again. Or you can remove highly preferred items and activities once they have been accessed, allowing them to be accessed only once. This is a quick and highly effective strategy. However, I would caution against using it too often. When we overuse behavioral strategies, they tend to become less effective in creating the behavior change We want to see. The Exceptional Humans Podcast is written and recorded on Kabi Kabi and Jinibara lands. We would like to pay our respects to their elders past, present, and emerging, and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples listening today.