As parents, we all want to see our children succeed, learn new skills, and engage in positive behaviors. One of the most effective ways to achieve this—especially for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)—is through reinforcement.
What is Reinforcement?
Reinforcement is a key principle in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that helps increase the likelihood of a behavior happening again in the future.
- Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is immediately followed by something desirable, leading to an increase in that behavior over time.
How Can We Use Reinforcement Effectively?
Our goal as parents and caregivers is to make good behaviors happen more often by ensuring that what we provide (praise, rewards, or access to something enjoyable) actually motivates the child to repeat the behavior.
A common mistake is assuming that saying, “Nice job!” is enough to reinforce a behavior. While praise is great, it only counts as reinforcement if it actually leads to an increase in the behavior.
How Do We Know if Reinforcement is Working?
The easiest way to tell if you’ve successfully reinforced a behavior is simple:
✅ Did the behavior increase over time? If yes, then reinforcement worked!
❌ Did the behavior stay the same or decrease? If so, then what was provided was not reinforcing enough for the child.
What Can Be Used as Reinforcement?
Every child is different, so reinforcement should be personalized to what they find motivating. Some examples include:
✔️ Favorite toys or activities
✔️ Small treats or snacks
✔️ Extra playtime or a preferred game
✔️ Specific praise with enthusiasm (e.g., “Wow! You worked so hard on that!”)
The Takeaway
Reinforcement is one of the most powerful tools in helping children with ASD build positive behaviors and learn new skills. By finding what truly motivates your child and consistently reinforcing desired behaviors, you can create meaningful and lasting progress.
Want to learn more about how to use reinforcement effectively? Contact us at Advanced Behavioral Dimensions, LLC, and we’ll be happy to support your family’s journey!
