RBT Exam Revision Course: Behavior Reduction

A written guide outlining strategies to reduce behaviours that challenge and promote functional alternatives. It typically includes:

• Definition of target behaviours
• Identified function(s) of behaviour
• Antecedent interventions (prevention strategies)
• Skill-building interventions (functionally equivalent replacement behaviours)
• Consequence-based strategies (reinforcement, extinction)
• Crisis intervention procedures (if required)
• Data collection and monitoring process

• Sensory (Automatic) Function: Reinforcement comes from the behaviour itself.
  – Automatic Positive: Adds pleasurable sensation (e.g., hand-flapping).
  – Automatic Negative: Removes discomfort (e.g., scratching an itch).
• Escape Function: Avoid/terminate an aversive situation (e.g., task avoidance).
• Attention Function: Gain social interaction (positive or negative).
• Tangible Function: Gain access to desired item or activity.

• Antecedent Interventions: Modify environment before behaviour occurs (e.g., choice, visual supports).
• Non-Contingent Reinforcement (NCR): Reinforcement on a fixed/variable schedule regardless of behaviour.
• Behavioural Momentum: Present easy tasks before harder ones to increase compliance.
• Premack Principle: “First-Then” strategy using preferred activity to motivate less-preferred tasks.

• DRO: Reinforce any behaviour other than the target one during interval.
• DRA: Reinforce alternative behaviour serving same function.
• DRI: Reinforce incompatible behaviour.
• DRH: Reinforce higher rate of behaviour.
• DRL: Reinforce lower rate of behaviour.
• FERB: Teach more appropriate behaviour with same function.
• FCT: Teach communication to replace behaviour.

• General Extinction: Stop reinforcement of previously reinforced behaviour.
• Attention Extinction: Planned ignoring of attention-seeking behaviour.
• Escape Extinction: Do not allow escape after problem behaviour.
• Tangible Extinction: Withhold item access following problem behaviour.
• Sensory Extinction: Block automatic reinforcement (e.g., alternatives for self-biting).

• Crisis Intervention Plan: Plan to manage immediate risk, not long-term behaviour.
• Least Restrictive Principle: Restrictive interventions should be necessary, proportionate, and last resort.

A behaviour is considered challenging if it occurs at an intensity, frequency, or duration that threatens the quality of life or safety of the individual or others. Challenging behaviours often lead to restrictive, aversive, or exclusionary responses.

A written guide outlining strategies to reduce behaviours that challenge and promote functional alternatives. It typically includes definition of behaviours, functions, prevention, skill-building, consequences, crisis planning, and monitoring.

A written agreement outlining behavioural expectations, reinforcements, and consequences. Used to clarify contingencies in behaviour plans.

Strategies that modify the environment before a behaviour occurs to reduce the likelihood of challenging behaviour. Examples: providing choice, altering task difficulty, visual supports, NCR, Premack Principle, Behavioural Momentum.

Sensory (Automatic), Escape, Attention, Tangible. Includes automatic positive/negative reinforcement.

FERB, FCT, DRO, DRA, DRI, DRH/DRL – each targets replacement or rate-adjusted behaviour strategies based on function.

Extinction types include: Attention, Escape, Tangible, Sensory. Reinforcement is withheld to reduce behaviour.

Plans for immediate safety. Includes Crisis Intervention Plan and Least Restrictive Principle to protect rights and wellbeing.