Differential Reinforcement in ABA

Communication is a central need for everyone. Without the ability to connect with others and express ourselves, we simply can’t flourish. For children on the autism spectrum, communicating and connecting with others may be difficult. Sometimes, challenging behaviors may take the place of constructive ones as a child tries to reach out and connect. Differential reinforcement can help.

Play is an important part of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapies.

What is Differential Reinforcement?

Reinforcement simply refers to a positive response to a behavior that encourages a child to continue it. In differential reinforcement, positive reinforcement is only used in response to desirable, constructive behaviors, encouraging the child to learn more effective skills, including essential communication and social skills.

Types of Differential Reinforcement

Differential reinforcement can be used in a variety of ways. Let’s explore them and look at some examples.

Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)

In this approach, a constructive alternative behavior is encouraged, while a challenging behavior is discouraged. A therapist gives a child positive feedback when they use the alternative behavior but doesn’t reinforce a challenging behavior.

Here’s an example of differential reinforcement in action. A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) may praise a child whenever they raised their hand and would then call on them, reinforcing this behavior. A scream, on the other hand, would not get the desired response. Gradually, the child learns to replace the challenging behavior with one that is constructive and more easily understood by others.

Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior

This is a slightly nuanced version of the same idea. In essence, a challenging behavior is replaced with an alternative behavior such that both couldn’t happen at the same time. For example, a kiddo is rewarded for staying in their seat during class, while getting out of their seat is discouraged. Since both behaviors couldn’t take place at the same time, the new skill should replace the previous behavior.

Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates

This approach involves reducing the frequency of a behavior. The behavior itself may not be undesirable, but a child may simply do it too much. For instance, a kiddo may raise their hand too often in a simulated classroom situation, making it hard for their peers to participate or ask questions. Differential reinforcement could be used to encourage them to raise their hand more appropriately.

Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO)

Sometimes, a persistent challenging behavior may be approached using DRO. Perhaps a child is persistently making loud noises and disrupting a group activity. DRO may look like rewarding the child for being quiet for 10 minutes. In this approach, the focus isn’t on a target alternative behavior, but rather allows for various other behaviors while rewarding a child for avoiding a specific challenging behavior for a set time.

How Differential Reinforcement Works

Let’s explore how RBTs put these concepts into action during ABA therapy.

Identifying Target and Alternative Behaviors

An essential part of identifying a target challenging behavior to work on is getting to the bottom of what a child is trying to communicate. It’s important to understand that behavior can be understood as an attempt to communicate something. This could be a need, a want, a desire, an emotion, a preference, or many other things. An RBT analyzing a challenging behavior asks: What is the child trying to communicate with this behavior?

An essential next step is finding an alternative behavior to replace the challenging one. For example, a child may often scream in a mock classroom situation. It becomes clear that they’re trying to be called on in a group. The RBT helps the child work on replacing screaming with a more effective, positive behavior—in this case, raising their hand.

Implementing the Reinforcement Procedure

With any teaching method, our InBloom therapy team works to ensure your child’s goals are being met and that therapy is working well for them. The same holds true for using differential reinforcement in ABA therapy. Your child’s BCBA and RBT will carefully choose the appropriate challenging behaviors to target and select more constructive replacement behaviors to work on based on your child’s unique needs. Giving your child the tools they need to express themselves and engage positively with others is the core of differential reinforcement.

Benefits of Differential Reinforcement

Differential reinforcement can help your child learn and master life-enriching skills as they move through ABA therapy. Combined with other teaching methods, differential reinforcement can help a child grow in independence, social skills, academic readiness, and confidence.