Have you ever seen a child’s behavior escalate dramatically after you’ve removed a preferred activity? This sudden outburst might be an extinction burst, a common phenomenon in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). While it can be alarming, understanding extinction bursts is crucial for managing challenging behaviors.
Definition of Extinction Bursts
A behavior that was previously reinforced may increase at first before eventually decreasing when it is no longer reinforced. These are known as extinction bursts and are expected. Furthermore, when function-based extinction is correctly applied, it functions as an indicator of the intervention’s effectiveness.
Significance of Extinction Bursts
Conducting extinction-based interventions depends critically on the occurrence of an extinction burst. It shows that the targeted behavior is being impacted by the intervention. Extinction bursts are a normal component of behavior change, despite the fact that they may initially seem alarming.
Extinction involves discontinuing a reinforcement contingency rather than adding a negative reinforcer or removing a positive reinforcer. By removing the reinforcement that maintains the maladaptive behavior, extinction makes the behavior useless. As a result, the behavior decreases and can be replaced by more useful behaviors.
During the initial stages of implementing extinction, the behavior may temporarily increase in intensity or frequency. This burst can be challenging to tolerate, especially when dealing with severe behaviors. However, it is important to remember that the burst is a sign that the intervention is working.
The phenomenon of extinction bursts has been observed in both human clinical participants and nonhuman laboratory subjects. Interestingly, human studies have found lower-than-expected prevalence rates of extinction bursts, while nonhuman studies have found near-zero prevalence rates when using the exact same criteria.
To explain the dynamic nature of extinction bursts, the Temporally Weighted Matching Law (TWML) provides a theoretical framework. The TWML suggests that extinction bursts occur when the relative value of the target behavior increases temporarily due to the absence of competing reinforcer consumption options.
Extinction Bursts in DRA Treatment
In treatments involving Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA), extinction bursts may also occur. In the early phases of a DRA treatment, however, when reinforcer consumption is not as readily accessible as a competing response, the value of the problem behavior may be significantly higher than the alternative response.
In this context, the TWML predicts that individuals undergoing DRA treatments may allocate their responses among three options: problem behavior, alternative response, and reinforcer consumption. The high value of the problem behavior, coupled with the absence of immediate reinforcement, can result in an extinction burst.Â
By understanding the theoretical frameworks of TWML and the application of extinction bursts in DRA treatments, ABA therapists can better anticipate and address the temporary increase in problem behavior. This knowledge aids in the development of effective strategies to manage and reduce problem behaviors.
Observations and Studies
Clinical research and observational data have yielded important insights into the phenomenon of extinction bursts in ABA treatment. Let’s examine a few of these studies and how behavior functions during extinction bursts.
Clinical Studies on Extinction Bursts
Extinction bursts have been observed in clinical studies, particularly in cases where individuals are treated for self-injurious behavior using extinction-based procedures. Approximately 40% of cases have shown response bursts during the early stages of treatment. However, it’s important to note that the likelihood of these bursts can be reduced when extinction is combined with alternative procedures.
The untoward effects of extinction bursts can occur in various situations, such as during the initial period of nonreinforcement. These effects may manifest as a temporary increase in the targeted behavior, the emergence or increase of other forms of responding within the same response class, or the emergence of new forms of responding outside the original response class.
Behavior Functions in Extinction Bursts
The underlying principle of extinction is to remove the reinforcement or the factors that maintain a maladaptive behavior. By removing the reinforcer, the behavior becomes ineffective and loses its purpose. As a result, behaviors that fail to achieve their intended function tend to decrease in frequency and are eventually replaced by more adaptive and useful learned behaviors.
Understanding the clinical studies on extinction bursts and the functions of behavior within these bursts is crucial in developing effective ABA therapy techniques. By addressing these bursts and the underlying functions of behavior, therapists can work towards promoting positive behavior change and improving the overall well-being of individuals undergoing ABA therapy.
Practical Examples
To better understand the concept of extinction bursts in ABA therapy, let’s explore two practical examples that highlight the occurrence of these bursts and their subsequent decrease in behavior.
Scenario #1: Child and Candy Bar
In this scenario, a child has developed a habit of throwing tantrums to obtain a candy bar. The parents, with guidance from an ABA therapist, decide to implement an extinction-based intervention to decrease this behavior. Initially, when the child’s tantrums no longer result in receiving the candy bar, an extinction burst may occur.
During the extinction burst, the child might escalate their tantrum behavior by crying louder, kicking, or even screaming. This increase in intensity is a natural response as the child is trying to obtain the desired candy bar through their previous behavior. However, it is crucial for the parents and caregivers to remain consistent and not provide the candy bar during the extinction burst.
Over time, as the child realizes that their tantrums no longer lead to the desired outcome, the frequency and intensity of the tantrums will gradually decrease. This decrease indicates that the extinction-based intervention is effective in teaching the child that their previous behavior is no longer effective in obtaining the candy bar.
Scenario #2: Adolescent and Music Homework
In this scenario, an adolescent with autism has a strong aversion to completing their music homework. Whenever the task is presented, the adolescent engages in disruptive behaviors such as yelling, throwing objects, and leaving the room. The ABA therapist, in collaboration with the parents, implements an extinction-based intervention.
At the onset of the intervention, when the adolescent’s disruptive behaviors no longer result in avoiding the music homework, an extinction burst may occur. The adolescent might exhibit more intense disruptive behaviors, such as increased yelling, throwing objects with greater force, or even attempting to leave the house.
During the extinction burst, it is crucial for the parents and caregivers to remain consistent and not allow the adolescent to avoid the music homework. As the adolescent realizes that their disruptive behaviors are ineffective in avoiding the task, the frequency and intensity of the disruptive behaviors will gradually decrease.
These practical examples highlight the importance of implementing extinction-based interventions accurately and consistently. While extinction bursts can be challenging to manage, they’re actually a positive sign that the intervention is working and ultimately leads to a decrease in the target behavior.Â
If you’re facing challenges with extinction bursts and need expert guidance, Silver Swing can help. We offer top-notch ABA therapy services in Arizona, Georgia, New Jersey, and Utah. Our experienced team specializes in creating personalized treatment plans to address your child’s specific needs.Â
Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your family’s journey!
