Types of Reinforcement in ABA Therapy

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Positive reinforcement is giving a reward or praise after a desired behavior is shown, making it more likely that the behavior will happen again in the future.

This is the primary modality of reinforcement provided in ABA Therapy.

Negative reinforcement is taking away something unpleasant or undesirable after a desired behavior is shown, making it more likely that the behavior will happen again in the future.

This is much less commonly used in ABA Therapy, as positive reinforcement is much more easily used to help children with autism learn.

A child drops a toy and then picks it up. The parent says, "Great job picking up your toy!" and gives the child a reward. The praise and reward are positive reinforcers that make the child more likely to pick up dropped items in the future.

A child spills water on their shirt and feels uncomfortable. They ask their parent to help them change into a dry shirt. The parent quickly helps them change, removing the uncomfortable wet feeling. The removal of the wet shirt is negative reinforcement, making it more likely that the child will ask for help again in the future when they spill something on themselves.