2.
Jim is 14 years old
He is a 9th grader in a public high school’s Life Skills program.
Jim has been engaging in an undesirable behavior which his teachers feel are effecting his
academic instruction and social life.
Jim begins to spit at any adult or peer working with him during time of task assignment.
Teacher assistants, Aides and Jim’s classmates are reluctant to work with him.
Upon spitting the individual working with Jim would leave the environment and Jim would
be taken away from the task.
The schools behaviorist has determined the function of the behavior is escaped
maintained.
By the combination of extinction and replacing the undesirable behavior with a more
acceptable behavior, the behaviorist believes Jim will less likely engage in spitting.
Through the use of observation the educator and behaviorist have determined possible
reinforcers Jim could work for.
3.
The consequence to Jim’s behavior of spitting is he would be taken away
from the task assignment.
Through the use of extinction the behavior of spitting will be ignored and
replaced with Jim asking to take a break.
The behaviorist will implement the use of a token board and instruct Jim for
every 1 minutes of not engaging in spitting he will receive a token.
Upon earning ten tokens, Jim will earn a reinforcer of his chose.
If Jim engages in the behavior he will have to reset his timer and try to not
spit for another minute.
Jim will also be instructed to use functional communication in asking to take
a break. He will be allowed 30 seconds of walking around the classroom and
will directed back to his assignment.
4. The use of token board is given as reinforcer to
decrease/eliminate a behavior.
For 1 minute of not engaging in the behavior Jim will
earn one token. Upon ten tokens Jim will earn a
reinforcer.
This type of reinforcement is know as differential
reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) .
As long as the targeted behavior is not engaged in Jim
will earn 1 token for 1 minutes
After a 85% rate of decrease in frequency of the
targeted behavior for a week, the time will increase to
2 minutes for reinforcement of a token.
5. Jim Is working for :__________________
- If I spit I will not earn a token
- If I need a break, I will raise my hand and ask
