Differential Reinforcement is the implementation of reinforcing only the appropriate response (or behavior you wish to increase) and applying extinction to all other responses. Extinction is the discontinuing of a reinforcement of a previously reinforced behavior. A basic principle of differential reinforcement is the concept of discrimination. Differential Reinforcement. Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI) DRI is similar to DRA. It is used when a behavior that is incompatible to a problem behavior. For example, if a child was a frequent runner, you would be using DRI when the child was sitting. Sitting is an incompatible behavior.
Today’s post is a bit technical, but if you hang in there Iguarantee it will be worth it.
I already wrote a post about Differential Reinforcement, which is helpful for trying to understand DRA. DRA, or DifferentialReinforcement of Alternative Behavior, is an ABA technique used to reduceproblem behaviors. ABA professionals always seek to accomplish behaviorreduction through ethical, reinforcement based methods first. In other words wedon’t just seek to make a problem behavior stop. We ask ourselves “What can Iteach this child to do instead ofthis problem behavior?”
DRA is a great technique (when part of a comprehensive behavior plan) to intervene on behaviors such as aggression, self-stimulatory behaviors, perseveration, ortantrumming. It is typical that a DRA is combined with Extinction. Anyonewho wants to reduce or eliminate problem behavior can benefit from an understanding of DRA.
![Differential Reinforcement Of Alternative Behavior Examples Differential Reinforcement Of Alternative Behavior Examples](http://www.autisminternetmodules.org/up_img/step5large.jpg)
So what is DRA?
DRA- Reinforcementof an alternative behavior while withholding reinforcement for theinappropriate behavior.
This basically means that you put an undesired behavior onextinction, while simultaneously giving reinforcement to an appropriatebehavior.
Here are a few examples:
- Child A has a problem behavior of mouthing non-food items (toys, pennies, fingers, etc) to gain sensory stimulation. Every time child A attempts to place a non-food item in her mouth, you block this behavior and redirect her to a sensory chewie toy. As child A places the chewie in her mouth, you provide verbal praise.
- Child B has a problem behavior of elopement from the work table to escape a demand. When child B attempts to stand up at the work table, you physically prompt her to sit down and immediately hand her an “I want a break” card. When child B gives the card back to you, you provide praise and allow child B a short break.
You may have already noticed two important factors whenimplementing a DRA:
- You need to know the function of the problem behavior
- You need to reinforce the alternative behavior
It isn’t enough tosimply redirect the child to a different behavior at random. That is notimplementing a DRA technique. If the child is mouthing toys and pennies to getsensory stimulation and you block the mouthing and give the child a book toread, how does that address their sensory need? It doesn’t. What will happen isthe child will try to mouth the book, or they will engage with it for a fewseconds and then throw it down.
It also isn’t enough to redirect the child to a functionally similaralternative behavior with no reinforcement. While the behavior is inappropriateor maladaptive from our point of view, to the child the behavior they areengaging in works, it’s effective, and it’s efficient. It is only to us, asclinicians and parents, that the behavior is deemed unacceptable. To bringabout lasting behavior change you must reinforce the alternative behavior andmake it more appealing than the inappropriate behavior. You always want tocreate motivation for the child to engage in the behavior that is moreappropriate.
It also isn’t enough to redirect the child to a functionally similaralternative behavior with no reinforcement. While the behavior is inappropriateor maladaptive from our point of view, to the child the behavior they areengaging in works, it’s effective, and it’s efficient. It is only to us, asclinicians and parents, that the behavior is deemed unacceptable. To bringabout lasting behavior change you must reinforce the alternative behavior andmake it more appealing than the inappropriate behavior. You always want tocreate motivation for the child to engage in the behavior that is moreappropriate.
Other important terms to know include DRO, Differential Reinforcement ofOther Behavior, and DRI, Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior. Putsimply, DRO means you give reinforcement to behaviors other than the problem behavior. DRI means you reinforce appropriate behaviors that areincompatible with the problem behavior, or you reinforce an appropriatebehavior that cannot be done at the same time as the problem behavior.
It isn’t always easyto implement Differential Reinforcement, because sometimes it is hard to 'catch the child being good' or because it may be difficult to identify an alternativebehavior that is functionally similar.
For example, it can be challenging to find a functionally similar replacement behaviorfor masturbation. A better strategy is to teach the individual about public vs. private behavior, and redirect them away from sexual stimulation in front of others (exercise, go for a walk, excuse themselves to their room, etc.).
For example, it can be challenging to find a functionally similar replacement behaviorfor masturbation. A better strategy is to teach the individual about public vs. private behavior, and redirect them away from sexual stimulation in front of others (exercise, go for a walk, excuse themselves to their room, etc.).
DRA is a wonderful ABA tool that can produce quick andsignificant changes in behavior. In my opinion, it is also easy for most parents to implement. For example:
- Nick has a perseveration behavior of excessively talking about dinosaurs. Anytime Nick wants to initiate a social interaction, he walks up to someone and begins a monologue all about dinosaurs. Nick’s parents place the dinosaur perseveration on extinction, and reinforce Nick for appropriately initiating a conversation by asking social questions such as “What did you do today?”