Why Reinforcement in ABA Fails (and How to Fix It)

Positive reinforcement is an integral part of applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy). It is used as a way to reward patients for successful attempts and completions of new tasks and behaviors that are being taught, as well keep them engaged in the therapy and motivated to do more.

In ABA therapy, reinforcers can be anything from extra time with a toy, extra praise or a token that the patient can use to exchange for something they like later on once they’ve collected enough.

No matter what skill or behavior is being targeted, and no matter what strategy or tool is being used to teach it, reinforcers are used to generate a positive response.

At times, though, reinforcement may not produce the same outcome as it once did — or any positive outcome at all.

Below, we’ll discuss some reasons why reinforcement in ABA fails, and how to fix it.

Table Of Contents

The Reinforcer isn’t Relevant

Like all other aspects of ABA therapy, reinforcers should be chosen based on the unique preferences of the patient. This can be figured out in the initial assessment and evaluation phase, by speaking to parents and observing what the patient likes and what motivates them.

Sometimes, a reinforcer is chosen that just isn’t relevant enough to serve its positive purpose in ABA therapy.

If the reinforcer isn’t relevant to the patient in this way, they may not respond to the targeted interventions properly. In this case, the reinforcer won’t achieve its intended outcome, which is for the patient to learn a new skill or exhibit a desired behavior.

Through more research and trial-and-error, therapists can discover reinforcers that are relevant to the patient, something that they desire and that will motivate them to engage in the therapy.

The Reinforcer is Overused

It’s possible that reinforcers will need to be switched out from time to time. As the patient gets used to receiving a certain toy every time they successfully attempt a new skill or behavior, that reinforcer may lose its effectiveness.

The patient might not become bored with the reinforcer and want something different instead. If this happens, it’s likely that the power behind the reinforcer will fade.

Therapists need to pay attention to how their patients are responding to the reinforcer. If anything changes over time, it’s likely that a new reinforcer may need to be swapped in.

The Reinforcer isn’t Given at the Appropriate Time

The effectiveness of a reinforcer could also have to do with when the reinforcer is given.

To be the most effective, the reinforcer needs to be presented to the patient immediately after they exhibit the desired behavior or skill. This makes them associate the desired behavior or skill with the reward, which then encourages them to keep trying.

If there is too much of a delay between when the behavior is exhibited and when the reinforcer is given, the patient may not understand that the reinforcer is being given because of their behavior.

ABA therapists need to make sure that they are timing the presentation of the reinforcer properly. This will strengthen the association between the patient’s behavior and the positive consequence of doing so.

The Reinforcer is Given Inconsistently

Consistency is key in ABA therapy. The more predictable that the interventions are, the more likely it is that the patient is going to learn effectively.

If reinforcers are given in an inconsistent manner, it can result in the link between the behavior and the reinforcer to be weakened. For example, if the reinforcer is given only sometimes that the patient exhibits a desired behavior, and not every time, it could cause the patient to become confused and not understand.

This is why it’s so important for ABA therapists to remain consistent with the application of the targeted interventions. The same reinforcer needs to be used, and it needs to be given every time the patient does what’s being asked of them.

Blue Gems ABA Works to Ensure Reinforcement is Effective

Reinforcement is a vital aspect of ABA therapy, as it rewards patients for their positive behaviors and keeps them motivated and engaged in the therapy. Sometimes, reinforcement fails, but ABA therapists can follow some of the tips above to get back on track.

At Blue Gems ABA, we’re constantly assessing all aspects of the ABA therapy treatment plans we administer to our patients. This includes making sure that reinforcers are effective, and adjusting them if they’re not.

To learn more, please contact us today.