WEBVTT
00:00:00.050 --> 00:00:06.049
Welcome to The Exceptional Humans Podcast, where we discuss questions related to language, identity, education, and behavior.
00:00:06.440 --> 00:00:11.630
I'm your host, Penelope and I have a background in education, linguistics, and behavioral science.
00:00:13.380 --> 00:00:19.050
Today we will be discussing how to use reinforcer assessments.
00:00:20.050 --> 00:00:25.480
But firstly, we need to discuss what a reinforcer assessment is.
00:00:26.410 --> 00:00:55.554
A reinforcer assessment is a systematic process designed to identify what sort of stimuli, for example, an object, an activity, the use of praise, might be effective in increasing the likelihood of a specific target behavior occurring.
00:00:56.554 --> 00:01:06.439
These target behaviors are often things that an individual finds difficult or that are less preferred.
00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:14.670
The first step in conducting a reinforcer assessment is to identify the task you will be reinforcing.
00:01:16.650 --> 00:01:24.420
This is normally a task that the individual does not enjoy or finds difficult.
00:01:25.125 --> 00:01:36.855
Some examples may include having a shower completing a school-based task, such as homework or turning off a device immediately after being requested to do so.
00:01:38.808 --> 00:01:55.099
The second step is to decide whether the task can be completed easily as a single action, or whether the task needs to be divided into smaller, easier to complete chunks.
00:01:56.099 --> 00:02:13.258
Making the task easier to complete by approaching it as a whole or chunking the task will increase the chances of successful task completion, as well as reducing the risk of escalating behaviors of concern and interpersonal conflict.
00:02:14.258 --> 00:02:23.769
Having a shower is best completed as a single action due to the health and safety risks associated with dividing the task into chunks.
00:02:24.729 --> 00:02:34.748
Whilst completing a school based task is best divided into smaller chunks, because the task is generally complex involving multiple steps.
00:02:35.618 --> 00:02:43.718
Turning off a device is best completed as a single action because the task does not generally involve multiple complex steps.
00:02:44.718 --> 00:02:56.479
The third step is to select between three and five highly preferred items and or activities to include in the reinforcer assessment.
00:02:57.288 --> 00:03:02.658
If possible, involve the individual in deciding which items and activities are included.
00:03:03.889 --> 00:03:12.258
Use something to represent preferred activities, example socks for an outdoor activity or a remote for online gaming.
00:03:13.579 --> 00:03:21.889
Place the highly preferred items and activities on a flat surface close to where the task you will be reinforcing is being completed.
00:03:22.889 --> 00:03:33.028
Providing a selection of highly preferred items or activities increases the likelihood of the individual accessing reinforcement rather than reward.
00:03:33.989 --> 00:04:05.054
Reinforcers might include things such as edible items, snacks and drinks, access to preferred activities such as games, access to preferred items such as toys and devices, access to a break, access to a preferred sensory item or input such as music, access to attention, such as time spent discussing a special interest.
00:04:06.054 --> 00:04:08.843
There are a few other things to consider.
00:04:10.283 --> 00:04:15.503
For edible items consider what would be a reasonable reinforcer for the task.
00:04:16.088 --> 00:04:25.629
For example, three chocolate buttons might be an appropriate reinforcer, but three cans of Coke would be an inappropriate reinforcer.
00:04:26.738 --> 00:04:35.718
For non consumable reinforcers that do not have a natural end time, assign a time limit to each reinforcer.
00:04:36.108 --> 00:04:40.338
Consider what a reasonable time limit is for the task.
00:04:40.728 --> 00:04:54.769
For example, 15 minutes on a device for completing a 15 minute shower routine might be appropriate, but watching Despicable Me for completing three simple addition sums might not be appropriate.
00:04:56.468 --> 00:05:01.629
Ensure that the reinforcer does not contradict the behavior you are reinforcing.
00:05:02.108 --> 00:05:12.189
For example, accessing five minutes on a device for immediately turning off a device when requested may not reduce behaviors around devices.
00:05:13.658 --> 00:05:19.658
Ensure that these factors are decided and discussed before beginning the task.
00:05:20.658 --> 00:05:23.149
The fourth step is to complete the task.
00:05:24.649 --> 00:05:34.069
Step five involves immediately allowing the individual to select a reinforcer for successful task completion.
00:05:35.298 --> 00:05:43.579
Providing immediate access to the individual's preferred reinforcer, assist in creating positive behavior change.
00:05:44.718 --> 00:05:48.319
Rewards do not have the same impact on behavior.
00:05:49.684 --> 00:05:59.644
Some examples may include watching an episode of Bluey after the individual completes their shower routine.
00:06:00.663 --> 00:06:06.994
Having a five minute break on the couch after completing three word problems on a maths worksheet.
00:06:07.923 --> 00:06:14.134
Eating a biscuit after immediately turning off a device when requested to do so.
00:06:15.134 --> 00:06:22.514
Repeat steps four and five for tasks that have been divided into smaller, easier to complete chunks.
00:06:24.389 --> 00:06:32.579
You can replace highly preferred items and activities once they have been accessed, allowing them to be accessed again.
00:06:33.598 --> 00:06:43.829
Or you can remove highly preferred items and activities once they have been accessed, allowing them to be accessed only once.
00:06:44.829 --> 00:06:48.369
This is a quick and highly effective strategy.
00:06:48.488 --> 00:06:53.528
However, I would caution against using it too often.
00:06:54.519 --> 00:07:05.889
When we overuse behavioral strategies, they tend to become less effective in creating the behavior change We want to see.
00:07:07.408 --> 00:07:12.507
The Exceptional Humans Podcast is written and recorded on Kabi Kabi and Jinibara lands.
00:07:13.067 --> 00:07:21.257
We would like to pay our respects to their elders past, present, and emerging, and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples listening today.
00:00:00.050 --> 00:00:06.049
Welcome to The Exceptional Humans Podcast, where we discuss questions related to language, identity, education, and behavior.
00:00:06.440 --> 00:00:11.630
I'm your host, Penelope and I have a background in education, linguistics, and behavioral science.
00:00:13.380 --> 00:00:19.050
Today we will be discussing how to use reinforcer assessments.
00:00:20.050 --> 00:00:25.480
But firstly, we need to discuss what a reinforcer assessment is.
00:00:26.410 --> 00:00:55.554
A reinforcer assessment is a systematic process designed to identify what sort of stimuli, for example, an object, an activity, the use of praise, might be effective in increasing the likelihood of a specific target behavior occurring.
00:00:56.554 --> 00:01:06.439
These target behaviors are often things that an individual finds difficult or that are less preferred.
00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:14.670
The first step in conducting a reinforcer assessment is to identify the task you will be reinforcing.
00:01:16.650 --> 00:01:24.420
This is normally a task that the individual does not enjoy or finds difficult.
00:01:25.125 --> 00:01:36.855
Some examples may include having a shower completing a school-based task, such as homework or turning off a device immediately after being requested to do so.
00:01:38.808 --> 00:01:55.099
The second step is to decide whether the task can be completed easily as a single action, or whether the task needs to be divided into smaller, easier to complete chunks.
00:01:56.099 --> 00:02:13.258
Making the task easier to complete by approaching it as a whole or chunking the task will increase the chances of successful task completion, as well as reducing the risk of escalating behaviors of concern and interpersonal conflict.
00:02:14.258 --> 00:02:23.769
Having a shower is best completed as a single action due to the health and safety risks associated with dividing the task into chunks.
00:02:24.729 --> 00:02:34.748
Whilst completing a school based task is best divided into smaller chunks, because the task is generally complex involving multiple steps.
00:02:35.618 --> 00:02:43.718
Turning off a device is best completed as a single action because the task does not generally involve multiple complex steps.
00:02:44.718 --> 00:02:56.479
The third step is to select between three and five highly preferred items and or activities to include in the reinforcer assessment.
00:02:57.288 --> 00:03:02.658
If possible, involve the individual in deciding which items and activities are included.
00:03:03.889 --> 00:03:12.258
Use something to represent preferred activities, example socks for an outdoor activity or a remote for online gaming.
00:03:13.579 --> 00:03:21.889
Place the highly preferred items and activities on a flat surface close to where the task you will be reinforcing is being completed.
00:03:22.889 --> 00:03:33.028
Providing a selection of highly preferred items or activities increases the likelihood of the individual accessing reinforcement rather than reward.
00:03:33.989 --> 00:04:05.054
Reinforcers might include things such as edible items, snacks and drinks, access to preferred activities such as games, access to preferred items such as toys and devices, access to a break, access to a preferred sensory item or input such as music, access to attention, such as time spent discussing a special interest.
00:04:06.054 --> 00:04:08.843
There are a few other things to consider.
00:04:10.283 --> 00:04:15.503
For edible items consider what would be a reasonable reinforcer for the task.
00:04:16.088 --> 00:04:25.629
For example, three chocolate buttons might be an appropriate reinforcer, but three cans of Coke would be an inappropriate reinforcer.
00:04:26.738 --> 00:04:35.718
For non consumable reinforcers that do not have a natural end time, assign a time limit to each reinforcer.
00:04:36.108 --> 00:04:40.338
Consider what a reasonable time limit is for the task.
00:04:40.728 --> 00:04:54.769
For example, 15 minutes on a device for completing a 15 minute shower routine might be appropriate, but watching Despicable Me for completing three simple addition sums might not be appropriate.
00:04:56.468 --> 00:05:01.629
Ensure that the reinforcer does not contradict the behavior you are reinforcing.
00:05:02.108 --> 00:05:12.189
For example, accessing five minutes on a device for immediately turning off a device when requested may not reduce behaviors around devices.
00:05:13.658 --> 00:05:19.658
Ensure that these factors are decided and discussed before beginning the task.
00:05:20.658 --> 00:05:23.149
The fourth step is to complete the task.
00:05:24.649 --> 00:05:34.069
Step five involves immediately allowing the individual to select a reinforcer for successful task completion.
00:05:35.298 --> 00:05:43.579
Providing immediate access to the individual's preferred reinforcer, assist in creating positive behavior change.
00:05:44.718 --> 00:05:48.319
Rewards do not have the same impact on behavior.
00:05:49.684 --> 00:05:59.644
Some examples may include watching an episode of Bluey after the individual completes their shower routine.
00:06:00.663 --> 00:06:06.994
Having a five minute break on the couch after completing three word problems on a maths worksheet.
00:06:07.923 --> 00:06:14.134
Eating a biscuit after immediately turning off a device when requested to do so.
00:06:15.134 --> 00:06:22.514
Repeat steps four and five for tasks that have been divided into smaller, easier to complete chunks.
00:06:24.389 --> 00:06:32.579
You can replace highly preferred items and activities once they have been accessed, allowing them to be accessed again.
00:06:33.598 --> 00:06:43.829
Or you can remove highly preferred items and activities once they have been accessed, allowing them to be accessed only once.
00:06:44.829 --> 00:06:48.369
This is a quick and highly effective strategy.
00:06:48.488 --> 00:06:53.528
However, I would caution against using it too often.
00:06:54.519 --> 00:07:05.889
When we overuse behavioral strategies, they tend to become less effective in creating the behavior change We want to see.
00:07:07.408 --> 00:07:12.507
The Exceptional Humans Podcast is written and recorded on Kabi Kabi and Jinibara lands.
00:07:13.067 --> 00:07:21.257
We would like to pay our respects to their elders past, present, and emerging, and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples listening today.
