How are you adjusting reinforcement to reduce maladaptive behavior? Can you reinforce a more appropriate, alternative behavior to replace the maladaptive behavior?
The maladaptive behavior in this case is ‘not thinking where something goes.’ Concretely, this looks like ‘stuffing it in your backpack’ or ‘dropping the stapler on the table.’ The instructor has to focus on catching the student in the process of holding specific materials and reinforce ‘thinking about where it goes and then putting it there.’ Using external reinforcement, derived from the preference survey, for a certain number of times that the student engages in the specific behavior of ‘putting things back’ may be a worthy goal that supports the reduction of ‘putting things somewhere to get it out of my hands.’
What are some reinforcing consequences you can deliver either immediately following the desired behavior or following a practice session– things that this particular student enjoys, wants, seeks out, etc.?
If the preference survey has been completed, what reinforcers might be appropriate to incorporate for using the organizational strategies?
Are you using labeling and social praise to make the contingency between desired behavior and reinforcing consequence clear to the student?
What reinforcing consequences can you arrange that are more naturally or intrinsically connected to this targeted behavior?
Success at school and on job sites could lead to better grades and possible pay increases or bonuses which are definitely more reinforcing.
Many job site supervisors will be very pleased with a system that may increase productivity not only for the student, but for other employees. His enthusiasm and support will help to build a positive relationship with the student and provide a natural reinforcement for the student.
