A big part of ABA(Applied Behavior Analysis) is reinforcement. Reinforcement are rewards used to encourage the child learn skills by giving them something to work for and earn just like allowances or special privileges used commonly for older kids. We all work for reinforcement even if we don't realize it. While we might not be working for toys or tickles we try our best to earn all kinds of things like: money, praise, acknowledgment, special opportunities, and good grades. In ABA they are used to encourage effort to try and good behaviors we wish to encourage further to help teach positive things like using their words or pecs and to help them distinguish negative behaviors like yelling or hitting. These rewards have two types, primary reinforcements and secondary reinforcements.
Primary reinforcements are clearly defined as food or drink, typically small treats like candy, fruit, popcorn, or maybe sips of a special beverage like chocolate milk. They kind of reinforcements can be very useful in providing strong motivation to try and work with their therapist especially early on in their plans or with tasks that are particularly challenging for that individual child. Its common that one there's a steady connection between the primary reinforcement and the desired result (such as tolerance or listening to instruction) that they use of them will fade and slowly over time be used less and less or replaced with secondary reinforcement.
Secondary reinforcements are NON food/drink rewards. These can toys, access to special fun activities, silly play, or just about anything that might be highly desired by the child in question. My current client, for example, loves working for slime and putty, tickles, and trains. Secondary reinforcements are a great tool and often a preferred choice for parents so that the child doesn't become to dependent on sweets or fatty foods that might not be good for them to receive constantly or may spoil their appetites.
Some are saying that use of reinforcements further proves the belief that ABA is simply 'TRAINING' and autistic child to behave 'NORMAL' and that is simply false. Human development and society is literally built on a premise of work hard for what you desire; whether that be education, a better life, relationships with loved ones, or learning something new like a new language we all work to earn something everyday. On another note Autistic people can not simply be 'trained' like an animal to be 'normal' for Autism is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects all walks of life and all areas of their experience. This is not something we can simply get rid of and cast aside. But with the use of reinforcements they can be motivated to learn new things so they can live safely and happily much like their peers.
Commenti