How can parents determine what reinforces or discourages a particular problem behavior?
Keeping a simple log which details occurrences of the target problem behavior can often reveal patterns. There may be specific setting events associated with the behavior (e.g., certain times of day when the behavior is more likely to occur, or certain people with whom the behavior is more likely to occur). There may be certain antecedents (events which occur immediately before the target behavior) which correspond to occurrence of the behavior (e.g., demands being placed, or access to desired items being removed or denied). Certain consequences (events which occur immediately after the target behavior) may be accidentally reinforcing the behavior, thereby maintaining its occurrence. Looking for patterns in the variables that correspond to problem behavior (a kind of “functional assessment”) can yield important information, which can then be utilized to make important decisions about future treatment of that behavior. For best results, enlist the help of a Board Certified Behavior Anal
