Key Points:
- Extinction in ABA therapy is a behavior reduction technique used to decrease unwanted behaviors by withholding reinforcement.
- It must be applied carefully and consistently, considering the function of the behavior.
- While effective, extinction procedures can lead to short-term increases in behavior, known as extinction bursts.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a widely recognized, evidence-based approach for helping children with autism and other developmental conditions build positive behaviors and reduce those that interfere with learning or social functioning.
One of the most misunderstood but essential concepts in ABA is extinction. Many parents hear the term and assume it involves punishment or the removal of something forceful, but that’s not the case. Extinction can help reduce problem behaviors such as aggression, which manifests in approximately 50% of autistic children. Understanding what extinction in ABA therapy really means is key to supporting your child’s behavioral growth.
What is Extinction in ABA Therapy?
Extinction in ABA therapy is the process of deliberately withholding reinforcement from a previously reinforced behavior in order to reduce or eliminate that behavior over time.
This does not mean ignoring the child entirely or punishing them. Instead, it involves identifying the reason a behavior occurs—its function—and then ensuring that the reinforcement that was maintaining that behavior no longer follows it. Over time, the behavior decreases because it no longer serves its intended purpose.
For example, if a child screams to get attention and it works, they’ll keep doing it. But if the screaming is consistently not acknowledged, it loses its value. That’s extinction in action.
How Does Extinction Work in ABA?
To apply extinction correctly, you need to understand the function behind the behavior. ABA therapists usually identify these through Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs). Every behavior happens for a reason, typically one of these four:
- Attention-seeking
- Escape or avoidance
- Access to tangibles (like toys or snacks)
- Sensory or automatic reinforcement
Once the function is identified, the therapist can match the extinction procedure appropriately. Let’s break that down with context:
1. Attention-Maintained Behavior
If a child hits to gain attention and an adult responds, even negatively, that behavior gets reinforced. An extinction procedure here would involve withholding attention when hitting occurs, which may mean not reacting or calmly redirecting without giving emotional or verbal acknowledgment.
2. Escape-Maintained Behavior
A child who throws a tantrum to avoid a non-preferred task, like homework or cleaning, is seeking escape. If the task is removed after the tantrum, that behavior is strengthened. To use extinction, the task must remain in place, even during the tantrum, until it’s completed appropriately.
3. Tangibly-Maintained Behavior
If the behavior is aimed at getting a specific item (like a toy or treat), extinction means not giving the item when the behavior happens, no matter how intense the demand becomes.
4. Automatically Reinforced Behavior
These behaviors are a bit trickier because the reinforcement is internal, like hand flapping or head banging. Extinction in these cases might involve blocking the behavior or providing alternative sensory input.
What are Examples of Extinction Procedures?
In ABA therapy for individuals with autism, extinction procedures are used to reduce challenging behaviors by withholding the reinforcement that maintains them. These methods are carefully applied under professional guidance to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Below are some real-world examples of extinction in ABA settings:
What is an Extinction Burst in ABA?
In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), an extinction burst is a short-term increase in a behavior after reinforcement is removed. This often occurs in children with autism when a previously rewarded behavior no longer gets the expected response.
For example, if a child tantrums to gain attention and the behavior is no longer acknowledged, the tantrums may initially become louder or more intense. This escalation is the extinction burst. Though it may seem like the behavior is worsening, it’s actually a common and expected part of the extinction process.
Extinction bursts can be challenging, but consistency is key. Reinforcing the behavior during this phase can make it harder to eliminate. With continued use of the extinction procedure and proper support, the behavior usually decreases over time and eventually stops.
What are the Risks or Challenges of Using Extinction?
Extinction in ABA therapy is not a one-size-fits-all tool. If used improperly, it can have unintended consequences. Here are some things parents and caregivers should be aware of:
1. Inconsistency
When one caregiver consistently withholds reinforcement but another gives in, the child may become more persistent in the undesired behavior. Consistency across all environments and caregivers is essential for extinction to be effective and lasting.
2. Aggression or Emotional Reactions
As the child realizes the behavior no longer yields the desired outcome, frustration may rise. This can lead to emotional outbursts or aggression, especially if the behavior was previously successful in getting attention or rewards.
3. Extinction-Induced Variability
When a specific behavior no longer works, children may experiment with new actions to regain attention or outcomes. Whining may escalate into screaming, hitting, or other unexpected behaviors as part of this trial-and-error process.
4. Time and Patience Required
Behavior change through extinction is gradual and demands consistent effort. Progress may seem slow, but repetition, patience, and coordination between all caregivers are key to ensuring long-term behavioral improvements without reinforcement.
How Can Parents Support Extinction Procedures?
Parental involvement is key to making extinction strategies successful. You don’t need to be a behavior analyst to make a big impact, but you do need training and guidance from professionals.
Here’s how parents can support:
1. Attend Training Sessions
Participating in training with your ABA provider helps you understand both the goals and the methods behind extinction procedures. You’ll gain practical tools and confidence to respond appropriately and consistently to your child’s behavior at home.
2. Stay Consistent at Home
Consistency is crucial, even when it’s emotionally challenging. If expectations differ at home from what’s practiced during therapy, it can confuse the child and undermine progress. Reinforce the same boundaries and responses every time, across all situations.
3. Track Behaviors
Keeping a daily log of behaviors helps identify patterns and improvements over time. This data is essential for your therapy team to make informed decisions, adjust strategies, and ensure that progress is moving in the right direction.
4. Communicate Regularly with the Therapy Team
Open and ongoing communication allows for necessary adjustments in the treatment plan. Sharing concerns, successes, and challenges ensures everyone is aligned and responding to the child’s needs in the most effective way.
5. Be Patient and Persistent
Behavioral change can be slow, and extinction often leads to temporary worsening before improvement. Staying calm and committed during tough moments shows your child that expectations remain firm, which ultimately supports lasting positive change.
What is the Difference Between Extinction and Punishment in ABA?
In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), extinction and punishment are both strategies used to reduce unwanted behaviors, but they work in different ways.
Extinction involves withholding the reinforcement that previously maintained a behavior. For example, if a child screams for attention and the behavior is ignored, the reinforcement (attention) is removed, which can lead to a decrease in the behavior over time.
Punishment, on the other hand, adds or removes a stimulus immediately after a behavior to reduce its future occurrence. This might include a time-out following aggression (removal of a preferred activity) or a verbal reprimand (adding an aversive stimulus).
The key difference is that extinction focuses on removing reinforcement, while punishment introduces a consequence to decrease behavior. Extinction is often seen as more gradual, whereas punishment tends to produce quicker changes, though it may carry more ethical concerns.
How Long Does Extinction Take to Work?
The length of time extinction takes to work in ABA varies, but behavior change is not immediate. Some behaviors may decrease within a few days, while others take weeks, depending on how long the behavior has been reinforced and the consistency of the extinction procedure.
An extinction burst—a temporary increase in the behavior—is common early on and can make it seem like things are getting worse. Staying consistent is key. Over time, with no reinforcement, the behavior typically decreases and may eventually stop entirely. Understanding how and when to apply different reinforcement strategies can make all the difference in shaping behavior effectively.
For more insight, check out our article When to Use Schedules of Reinforcement in ABA for Shaping Behavior, which dives deeper into using reinforcement schedules to support lasting behavior change.
Take the Next Step in Your Child’s Progress with ABA Therapy
If you’re navigating behavioral challenges with your child and want expert support applying techniques like extinction in ABA therapy, Acclimate ABA is here to help. Our team of certified professionals provides personalized ABA therapy in Utah, designed to improve behavior through evidence-based methods in home and clinical settings.
We understand that every child is different, and our compassionate approach ensures your child receives tailored support, and we equip parents with the tools needed for lasting success. Whether you’re looking to reduce tantrums, improve communication, or promote independence, we’re here to walk that journey with you.
Contact us today to learn about how we can help your child thrive!
