What is Extinction in ABA Therapy?

Imagine having the power to transform behaviors just like molding clay. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) offers just that—a scientific approach to understanding how behavior is affected by the environment. It focuses on using empirical techniques to improve socially significant behaviors.

Extinction is a fundamental concept in ABA that plays a crucial role in behavior modification. This technique decreases undesirable behaviors which eventually disappear. Practitioners and caregivers must understand the extinction dynamics to implement this strategy effectively in various settings. 

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What is extinction in ABA? 

In ABA therapy, extinction refers to the process of reducing or eliminating a specific behavior by discontinuing the reinforcement that previously maintained it. The theoretical background of extinction is rooted in the principle of operant conditioning, where behaviors are influenced by their consequences.

In other words, if we stop rewarding a certain behavior, it is less likely to happen again.

Extinction differs from other ABA techniques, such as differential reinforcement or punishment. It specifically involves withholding the reinforcement for the target behavior rather than providing an alternative behavior or introducing aversive consequences.

Extinction focuses solely on the withdrawal of reinforcement to decrease the occurrence of the behavior.

Examples of extinction in ABA

In practice, extinction can be illustrated with everyday examples. For instance, consider that you use the same vending machine every day. You put in your cash, and your favorite chocolate bar comes out each time.

One day, the vending machine is out of order, and even though you inserted your money and selected the same code, your chocolate bar doesn’t come out. You try again the next day, and there is still no chocolate bar.

Eventually, you stop trying to use the vending machine because you know there is no reward.

An additional example might include sleep training your child. Consider your child has been climbing into your bed each night for the last year. As a parent, you have decided to stop allowing this behavior to encourage them to sleep in their own bed.

Implementing an extinction procedure would involve redirecting your child to their bed upon each attempt, ultimately withholding previous reinforcement. Over time and with consistency, your child learns that attempting to climb into your bed no longer results in sleeping with you, and the behavior decreases.

Types of extinction in ABA therapy

There are three types of extinction, each tailored to specific scenarios: 

Positive reinforcement

This may include something tangible or attention. For instance, if a child receives attention for engaging in a tantrum, ceasing to provide attention can reduce tantrums over time.

Automatic reinforcement

This type is more related to sensory needs. A child may engage in self-stimulatory behavior that could cause harm, such as biting, and would need to be reduced for safety reasons.

Using an extinction procedure can prevent this behavior from occurring and therefore, reduce harm.

Negative reinforcement

This can also be referred to as escape extinction. For example, a child who refuses to complete their homework may learn that crying does not result in the work going away.

Extinction is not the same as ignoring

A common misconception about extinction is that it simply means ignoring a behavior. However, it involves a more nuanced approach. Extinction requires systematically withholding the reinforcement that maintains the behavior, whereas ignoring is just one strategy that might be used within extinction.

For example, suppose a child throws a tantrum to get a toy (tangible reinforcement). In that case, applying extinction involves not giving in to the tantrum and consistently withholding the toy, effectively removing the reinforcement.

In contrast, merely ignoring the tantrum without addressing the underlying function of the behavior might not be as effective; the child could continue the tantrum in hopes of eventually getting the toy.

Therefore, while ignoring is part of extinction, effective extinction requires a targeted approach to address the function of the behavior.

How is extinction implemented in ABA therapy?

Implementing extinction procedures involves a systematic, step-by-step approach:

1. Identify the target behavior and the specific reinforcement that maintains it 
2. Develop a clear plan to remove that reinforcement
3. Implement the plan consistently across all environments and ensure that everyone involved follows it precisely
4. Monitor the behavior for changes, noting that an extinction burst (a temporary increase in behavior) might occur before the behavior decreases

Extinction should be used when a reinforcer can be reliably removed or when the behavior is potentially harmful.

Tools and techniques used during extinction intervention may include:

When implementing the extinction procedure, the behavior analyst typically designs the plan and provides guidance, while the therapist plays a crucial role in consistently applying and documenting the behavior and responses.

Caregivers must also maintain the procedures to ensure generalization across all environments. Clinicians and caregivers must work together to ensure that the extinction procedure is implemented effectively and that the child’s needs are met in a supportive manner.

The amazing benefits of this procedure

The goal of behavior modification using extinction is to reduce undesired behaviors and promote more appropriate alternatives.

In the long term, the benefits of extinction can show improvement in the following:

Overall, successful implementation of extinction can lead to a more positive and functional behavior pattern, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Improvement is possible

Extinction is a crucial component of ABA therapy that involves systematically withholding reinforcement for undesired behaviors, leading to their reduction over time.

The importance of extinction lies in its ability to reduce maladaptive behaviors and promote more appropriate ones, enhancing individuals’ quality of life and fostering better social and functional skills.

While the process requires consistency and patience, its successful application can lead to significant positive changes. Embracing extinction as a tool in ABA therapy offers hope and improvement of well-being for children and their families. 

FAQs

Q: What is an example of extinction in ABA?

A: When potty training, a child no longer receives reinforcement for voiding in a diaper (undesired behavior). With time and consistency, the child is less likely to void in the diaper.

Q: What is an extinction procedure?

A: An extinction procedure is when reinforcement is systematically discontinued from behavior to decrease its future frequency to near zero or zero rates.

Q: What is an extinction burst?

A: When an extinction procedure is implemented, an extinction burst may occur. It may include a brief increase in the frequency and intensity of the target behavior before it decreases. This is due to removing the reinforcement that previously maintained the behavior.

Q: What is the attention extinction procedure in ABA?

A: If a behavior occurs to access attention and attention is typically provided, an attention extinction procedure may be implemented. This includes withholding attention or ignoring the behavior so that the future frequency of the behavior decreases.

References:

Ogallar, P. M., Callejas-Aguilera, J. E., Rosas, J. M., & Lamoureux, J. A. (2021). Concurrent evidence of extinction making acquisition context-specific and ABA and ABC renewal effects in human predictive learning. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cognition, 47(2), 137–149. https://doi.org/10.1037/xan0000288 

van Haaren, F. (2020). Extinction revisited: Implications for application.Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 20(1), 36–42. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000165 

Fisher, W.W., Greer, B.D., Shahan, T.A. and Norris, H.M. (2023), Basic and applied research on extinction bursts. Jnl of Applied Behav Analysis, 56: 4-28. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.954 

Generalization of extinction of a generalization stimulus in fear learning https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005796719302219 

Muething, C., Cariveau, T., Bottini, S., Slocum, S., Williams, C., Gillespie, S., & Scheithauer, M. (2024). Descriptive characteristics of extinction bursts: A record review. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 57(2), 372–382. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.1054