Instruction in Functional Assessment, 2014a
Instruction in Functional Assessment, 2014a
Instruction in Functional Assessment, 2014a
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<strong>Instruction</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Functional</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> Chapter 3<br />
procedures. Ext<strong>in</strong>ction refers to the removal of the usual re<strong>in</strong>forcer follow<strong>in</strong>g the behavior,<br />
which decreases future occurrences of that behavior (Mart<strong>in</strong> & Pear, 2011). DIFFERENTIAL<br />
REINFORCEMENT OF ZERO RATES (DRO) <strong>in</strong>volves provid<strong>in</strong>g a re<strong>in</strong>forcer when no <strong>in</strong>stances<br />
of the challeng<strong>in</strong>g behavior occur dur<strong>in</strong>g a period of time. For <strong>in</strong>stance, to decrease thumb<br />
suck<strong>in</strong>g, every 10 m<strong>in</strong> when the child does not engage <strong>in</strong> thumb suck<strong>in</strong>g, he gets his favorite<br />
toy. DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT OF INCOMPATIBLE BEHAVIOR (DRI) <strong>in</strong>volves re<strong>in</strong>forc<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a desired behavior that cannot occur at the same time as the challeng<strong>in</strong>g behavior (Mart<strong>in</strong><br />
& Pear, 2011). For <strong>in</strong>stance, the therapist can provide a re<strong>in</strong>forcer when the person speaks<br />
<strong>in</strong> normal conversation level and does not scream. If a specific <strong>in</strong>compatible behavior that<br />
the <strong>in</strong>dividual performs cannot be readily identified, DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT OF<br />
ALTERNATIVE BEHAVIOR (DRA) may be used where a desirable behavior displayed by the<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividual is re<strong>in</strong>forced. For example, turn<strong>in</strong>g pages of a magaz<strong>in</strong>e could be re<strong>in</strong>forced to<br />
decrease the likelihood of an <strong>in</strong>dividual engag<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> self-<strong>in</strong>jury by hitt<strong>in</strong>g her head with<br />
her hand. Both turn<strong>in</strong>g pages and self-<strong>in</strong>jury could be done at the same time, but that is<br />
unlikely to occur.<br />
There are also differential re<strong>in</strong>forcement schedules to reduce, but not necessarily completely<br />
elim<strong>in</strong>ate a behavior altogether, that can be used when some amount of behavior is<br />
alright. DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT OF LOW RATES—SPACED RESPONDING (DRL-spaced<br />
respond<strong>in</strong>g) entails provid<strong>in</strong>g the re<strong>in</strong>forcer after a period of time when no <strong>in</strong>stances of<br />
the challeng<strong>in</strong>g behavior have occurred and then the behavior occurs. For <strong>in</strong>stance, to slow<br />
down someone’s rate of eat<strong>in</strong>g, she could be allowed to take a bite after 3 s of the previous<br />
bite of food. DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT OF LOW RATES—LIMITED (DRL-limited) is when<br />
the challeng<strong>in</strong>g behavior is less than a specified amount follow<strong>in</strong>g a set time period (Mart<strong>in</strong><br />
& Pear, 2011). A child <strong>in</strong> the classroom may excessively raise her hand to ask to use the<br />
restroom every half hour where <strong>in</strong>stead, once after two hours of not ask<strong>in</strong>g is re<strong>in</strong>forced.<br />
Table 15<br />
A summary of schedules of re<strong>in</strong>forcement to decrease challeng<strong>in</strong>g behaviors<br />
Schedule<br />
Noncont<strong>in</strong>gent<br />
Re<strong>in</strong>forcement<br />
(NCR)<br />
Differential<br />
Re<strong>in</strong>forcement of<br />
Zero Respond<strong>in</strong>g<br />
(DRO)<br />
Differential<br />
Re<strong>in</strong>forcement<br />
of Incompatible<br />
Respond<strong>in</strong>g<br />
(DRI)<br />
Differential<br />
Re<strong>in</strong>forcement<br />
of Alternative<br />
Behavior (DRA)<br />
Procedure<br />
Noncont<strong>in</strong>gent delivery of re<strong>in</strong>forcer e.g., deliver<strong>in</strong>g positive<br />
attention every 5 m<strong>in</strong> when no <strong>in</strong>stances of attentionma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
challeng<strong>in</strong>g behavior have occurred.<br />
Re<strong>in</strong>forcer is provided only if the behavior has not occurred<br />
with<strong>in</strong> a specific period. e.g., deliver<strong>in</strong>g a re<strong>in</strong>forcer if no<br />
<strong>in</strong>stances of aggression occur dur<strong>in</strong>g the hour.<br />
Re<strong>in</strong>forcer is provided for a behavior that is <strong>in</strong>compatible,<br />
or that cannot occur at the same time as the behavior to<br />
be decreased. e.g., re<strong>in</strong>forc<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>-seat behavior to decrease<br />
out-of-seat<br />
Re<strong>in</strong>forcer is provided for a desirable behavior that is not<br />
necessarily <strong>in</strong>compatible with the behavior to be decreased.<br />
e.g., re<strong>in</strong>forc<strong>in</strong>g completion of puzzle to reduce head hitt<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
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