Instructional Playbook

I Level of Teacher Effort

Classroom Adjustment: Differential Reinforcement

Differential reinforcement is when reinforcement such as attention is provided for appropriate behavior and reinforcement is withheld when inappropriate behavior occurs. This increases appropriate behavior while decreasing inappropriate behavior.

Initial Setup

Before implementing Differential Reinforcement identify the following components: Reinforcer : What will the student be earning (tangible, privilege, attention)? Challenging behaviors : What behaviors are we wanting to not give reinforcement towards? Desirable behaviors : What behaviors are we wanting to reinforce and increase? Schedule of reinforcement : Determine a plan for when the behavior will be reinforced, depending on student need. Either frequently, randomly, a pre-planned time. Reinforce the desirable behavior : When the desirable behavior happens, reinforce according to the identified schedule. Withhold reinforcement from challenging behaviors : When challenging behavior happens, withhold reinforcement. Behave neutrally, or engage with someone else, while observing. Do not tell the student to stop. Neutral prompting: If the desirable behavior does not happen by itself, prompt the student in a calm and neutral manner. This can be done verbally, with pictures, pointing, or modeling the desirable behavior.

Low High Medium

Target Students

Considerations

Works well with all students, but may be especially helpful for students who are: Attention seeking - reinforces appropriate way to get attention. Escape/Avoid - Reinforces task engagement, and asking for help. Access to Tangibles - reinforces appropriate requesting, waiting, sharing and earning access to preferred activities.

The behavior may get worse before it gets better. To minimize this, make sure reinforcement is given frequently and consistently. Provide reinforcement more often than the challenging behavior occurs. Make sure the reinforcer is reinforcing to the student. For example, attention works best as a reinforcer when there is a positive relationship.

Definitions and protocols adapted from Safety Care, QBS