Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Online Tutorial
	Module 6: Reducing Problem Behaviors Extinction Extinction is a procedure used to reduce a behavior by taking away a consequence that was previously reinforcing it. For example, let’s say I had a student who frequently screamed. Each time the student screamed during class, I came over to his desk and asked him to please be quiet. Even though it wasn't resulting in positive attention, it was still attention. If we're sure that getting attention is the function of the behavior, here's what might be done. In order to use extinction to reduce screaming, I would need to stop giving the student attention when he screamed. Extinction often takes the form of “planned ignoring,” even though it is not exactly the same. Extinction can be a useful procedure for reducing behavior. However, we also want to focus on teaching the child another way to get attention, such as raising his hand. This is called a replacement behavior. If we don't teach a replacement behavior, the child may use other disruptive behaviors to attempt to gain attention. This goes along with Functional Communication Training, when we teach child appropriate ways to communicate. When a child has a way to communicate, problem behavior becomes less necessary. Replacement behaviors are covered in more detail later in this tutorial. Brief guides to using extinction can be found here: http://www.txautism.net/uploads/target/Extinction.pdf and http://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/sites/autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/Extinction-Complete-10-2010.pdf Please look over the extinction guides before continuing the tutorial. Next --> Differential Reinforcement