Reinforcement

Module Author

Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute

Reinforcement is an evidence-based practice used to teach target skills and increase desired behavior. Reinforcement is a foundational practice underpinning most other evidence-based practices (e.g., prompting, pivotal response training, activity systems) for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Reinforcement describes the relationship between the toddler’s behavior/use of a skill and the consequence of that skill/behavior. The relationship between behavior/use of skill and consequence is only reinforcing if that consequence increases the likelihood that the toddler performs the skill or behavior. For example, a toddler being taught to request objects such as toys will only request if the toy is one that he desires.

Reinforcement can be positive (giving something the toddler wants) or negative (taking away something the toddler doesn’t want).

Both types of reinforcement are covered in this module:

Positive Reinforcement
Negative Reinforcement

Within this learning module, both will be presented with separate implementation steps, resources, and checklists.

what are the learning goals for this module?

By the end of this instruction, you will be able to:

Describe the evidence-base for reinforcement
Describe the key reasons to use reinforcement as a way to support positive outcomes for young children with ASD
Understand the difference between positive and negative reinforcement
Determine which type of reinforcement to use with a particular toddler
Determine what assessment information is required to effectively implement reinforcement
Plan and implement reinforcement
Develop strategies for monitoring progress of a toddler when using reinforcement
Identify some of the challenges of using reinforcement and how to address them

Printer-friendly version

Reinforcement

Reinforcement

Module Author

Positive Reinforcement

Negative Reinforcement