Before I start, I’ve put together a video summarizing everything from this week’s newsletter! You can check it out at the bottom.
This week, I want to delve into the concept of reinforcer dependency, something that's surely familiar to many of you in ABA. It's a topic I've touched on before, but I believe it's crucial to revisit, particularly when it comes to introducing acquisition programs to learners.
A common scenario I encounter with fellow BCBAs is the challenge of transitioning from pairing sessions to actual acquisition trials. We spend time pairing with the learner, building rapport, and then abruptly switch to running trials, only to find that the learner is terribly resistant or uninterested.
There are a variety of reasons this can happen and often it has to do with the assumptions that the clinician brings to the table.
One major assumption is that we have to keep running trials until the learner somehow tolerates the fact that reinforcement is contingent on their participation in learning. They’ll eventually get with the program, right?
Well, not really.
This vantage point falls short as follows:
For every learner, there is a varying distance on their journey from doing their most favorite thing (all the time) to completing some kind of acquisition task.
For some, it’s short and easy. They play ball right away and actually enjoy it to some extent. I play with the iPad, then I work, then I go back to playing with my iPad.
For others it’s long and harrowing. Just the gentle pivot away from that precious reinforcer can introduce a problem behavior. Even you hitting the '“play” button on their favorite video (instead of letting them do it) can cause an issue.
It’s important to understand reinforcer dependency when you see it, and it often plays a huge role at the advent of teaching new skills. In these scenarios, your learner only wants to engage with one or a few reinforcers…all the time. And when you suggest moving away from them at all, problem behavior can strike.
Abrupt transitions—any transition, in fact—can be overwhelming for learners with reinforcer dependency.
So, how do we address this challenge? The answer lies in gradual, incremental adjustments to the reinforcement schedule. Instead of jumping straight into acquisition trials, we start by making small changes to the reinforcement experience.
For example, rather than removing the iPad entirely, we might start by sitting next to the learner while they use it, walking away periodically, and then returning and sitting with them again. We can then introduce slight disruptions, such as briefly touching the iPad, before eventually transitioning to alternative reinforcers.
The goal is to shift the needle gradually, moving from high-value reinforcement to more moderate options. This might involve introducing new devices and eventually new toys that offer a similar stimulus but with slight variations.
Notice that we’re not introducing an acquisition task (or any task) at all. Our goal, instead is to move the learner’s engagement and attention away from the reinforcer they are so dependent on another reinforcer or even the same reinforcer…but in a different context.
By taking this gradual approach, we help learners become more comfortable with disruptions to their reinforcement schedule, ultimately paving the way for successful acquisition trials. Gradually they learn to pivot and select other things! It's about meeting learners where they're at and making adjustments based on their individual needs and reinforcement history.
I have a comprehensive sequence to this process titled Intro to Reinforcer/Preference Expansion at BxMastery.com. There you can find other resources and tools to support this gradual transition, including mapped-out skill sequences designed to align with learners' reinforcement schedules. Let me know what your thoughts are!
Happy Friday!
Martin Myers is a BCBA with a passion for helping improve the field of ABA. With 10+ years of experience in the field, he’s dedicated to empowering others and fostering positive change through effective leadership and communication. Connect with Martin on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more insights and updates.