Extinction in Applied Behavior Analysis

Extinction is a behavior reduction procedure that involves discontinuing the reinforcement that has been maintaining a challenging behavior. When implemented correctly, extinction leads to a decrease and eventual elimination of the target behavior. As an RBT, you’ll implement extinction procedures as part of comprehensive behavior intervention plans, always under the supervision of a BCBA.

Understanding Extinction

Basic Principles of Extinction

Extinction is based on the principle that behaviors maintained by reinforcement will decrease when that reinforcement is consistently withheld.

Key Concepts:

• Reinforcement identification: Determining what is maintaining the behavior
• Reinforcement discontinuation: Consistently withholding the identified reinforcer
• Function-based approach: Extinction procedure must match behavioral function
• Persistence requirement: Consistent implementation despite initial increases
• Combination with other procedures: Typically used with differential reinforcement

The Extinction Process

When reinforcement is withheld, behavior typically follows a predictable pattern:

1. Initial consistency: Behavior continues as previously reinforced
2. Extinction burst: Temporary increase in frequency, intensity, or duration
3. Extinction-induced variability: New variations of the behavior emerge
4. Gradual decrease: Behavior slowly reduces in frequency
5. Sporadic occurrence: Occasional reappearance of behavior
6. Extinction: Behavior eventually stops occurring

Types of Extinction

The specific extinction procedure depends on the function of the behavior:

1. Extinction for Attention-Maintained Behavior

Withholding attention when challenging behavior occurs.

Implementation:

• Identify attention forms maintaining behavior (verbal, physical, eye contact)
• Systematically withhold all forms of attention following target behavior
• Maintain neutral facial expression and body language
• Redirect attention to appropriate behaviors
• Remain consistent even if behavior escalates temporarily

Example: For a child who throws toys to get adult attention:

• No verbal response when toys are thrown
• No eye contact or physical intervention (unless safety concern)
• Neutral facial expression and body language
• Attention provided for appropriate play
• Consistent implementation across all adults

2. Extinction for Escape-Maintained Behavior

Preventing escape from demands or activities when challenging behavior occurs.

Implementation:

• Identify escape patterns (task removal, breaks, reduced demands)
• Continue presenting demands despite challenging behavior
• Use prompting hierarchy to ensure task completion
• Prevent leaving the instructional setting
• Maintain expectations consistently

Example: For a student who tantrums to avoid math work:

• Math work remains present despite tantrum
• Prompting continues to guide task completion
• No breaks provided contingent on tantrum
• Task expectations maintained
• Work session continues until task completion

3. Extinction for Tangible-Maintained Behavior

Withholding access to preferred items or activities when challenging behavior occurs.

Implementation:

• Identify items/activities maintaining behavior
• Ensure items are inaccessible following problem behavior
• Prevent access despite escalation
• Teach appropriate requesting
• Secure items to prevent unauthorized access

Example: For a client who screams to get tablet access:

• Tablet not provided when screaming occurs
• Tablet kept secure to prevent independent access
• Appropriate requests for tablet reinforced
• Consistent implementation across settings
• Alternative activities available

4. Extinction for Automatically-Maintained Behavior

More challenging to implement; involves preventing or blocking sensory reinforcement.

Implementation:

• Identify sensory reinforcement (visual, tactile, auditory, etc.)
• Use protective equipment if appropriate
• Modify environment to reduce sensory feedback
• Introduce competing sensory stimulation
• Combine with other approaches

Example: For hand-flapping maintained by visual stimulation:

• Dim lights to reduce visual feedback
• Provide alternative visual stimulation
• Teach replacement behaviors
• Consider sensory diet
• Often combined with differential reinforcement

Implementation Considerations

Prerequisites for Extinction

Before implementing extinction, several conditions should be met:

1. Functional assessment: Function of behavior must be clearly identified
2. Team consensus: All implementers must agree to the procedure
3. Safety evaluation: Determine if extinction can be safely implemented
4. Alternative behaviors: Identify appropriate behaviors to teach
5. Reinforcement plan: Develop system for reinforcing alternative behaviors
6. Consistency capability: Ensure ability to implement consistently
7. Data collection system: Establish method for tracking progress

Extinction Burst

An extinction burst is a temporary increase in the frequency, intensity, or duration of the target behavior when reinforcement is first withheld.

Characteristics:

• Increased frequency: Behavior occurs more often
• Greater intensity: Behavior becomes more forceful or severe
• Longer duration: Episodes last longer than before
• New variations: Novel forms of the behavior may emerge
• Emotional responses: May include frustration or distress

Managing Extinction Bursts:

• Prepare team: Educate all implementers about expected burst
• Develop safety plan: Create procedures for dangerous escalation
• Maintain consistency: Continue withholding reinforcement
• Document patterns: Track changes in behavior
• Provide support: Ensure adequate staffing during initial implementation
• Set expectations: Inform stakeholders about temporary worsening
• Persist through burst: Continue until behavior begins to decrease

Extinction-Induced Aggression

Some individuals may display new or increased aggression when reinforcement is withheld.

Management Strategies:

• Risk assessment: Evaluate likelihood of aggressive response
• Safety planning: Develop procedures for managing aggression
• Environmental modifications: Remove potential weapons or hazards
• Staff training: Prepare team for safe management
• Reinforcement of alternatives: Heavily reinforce appropriate behaviors
• Modification if necessary: Adjust plan if aggression is severe or dangerous
• Documentation: Record all instances of aggression

Spontaneous Recovery

Spontaneous recovery is the temporary reappearance of a previously extinguished behavior after a period of non-occurrence.

Characteristics:

• Sudden reappearance: Behavior returns after apparent extinction
• Usually brief: Typically shorter duration than original behavior
• Less intense: Often less severe than original pattern
• Responsive to extinction: Decreases again with continued extinction
• May recur multiple times: Can happen repeatedly during process

Management Strategies:

• Anticipate occurrence: Expect periodic reappearance
• Maintain extinction: Continue withholding reinforcement
• Consistency across time: Implement same procedure as before
• Data tracking: Document instances of recovery
• Team communication: Ensure all implementers are aware of phenomenon
• Patience: Understand this is a normal part of extinction process

Ethical Considerations

Least Restrictive Intervention

Extinction should be used only when necessary and appropriate:

• Try antecedent interventions first: Modify environment to prevent behavior
• Consider positive-only approaches: Differential reinforcement alone may be sufficient
• Evaluate necessity: Determine if behavior requires intervention
• Proportional response: Match intervention to severity of behavior
• Regular review: Continually assess need for extinction component

Informed Consent

Stakeholders should understand the extinction procedure:

• Clear explanation: Describe procedure in understandable terms
• Expected effects: Explain potential extinction burst and recovery
• Alternatives discussed: Review other intervention options
• Questions addressed: Provide opportunity for clarification
• Documented agreement: Record consent from appropriate parties

Combining with Positive Approaches

Extinction should always be paired with teaching appropriate behaviors:

• Differential reinforcement: Reinforce alternative or incompatible behaviors
• Skill building: Teach functional communication or coping skills
• Rich reinforcement: Provide abundant reinforcement for appropriate behaviors
• Proactive strategies: Implement antecedent interventions
• Focus on acquisition: Emphasize learning new skills over eliminating behaviors

Practical Implementation Guidelines

Preparing for Implementation

1. Conduct thorough FBA: Clearly identify function of behavior
2. Develop detailed plan: Create specific extinction procedures
3. Train all implementers: Ensure consistent understanding
4. Establish data system: Determine how to measure progress
5. Create safety protocols: Plan for potential escalation
6. Inform stakeholders: Prepare team for extinction burst
7. Set up environment: Arrange setting to support implementation

During Implementation

1. Implement consistently: Apply procedure exactly as designed
2. Withhold reinforcement: Ensure target behavior is not reinforced
3. Reinforce alternatives: Provide reinforcement for appropriate behaviors
4. Collect data: Track frequency, intensity, and duration
5. Monitor safety: Ensure wellbeing of all involved
6. Communicate regularly: Update team on progress
7. Adjust as needed: Modify based on response and data

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Inconsistent Implementation

Solutions:

• Provide additional staff training
• Create implementation checklists
• Conduct fidelity checks
• Use visual reminders
• Simplify procedure if needed

Challenge: Dangerous Extinction Burst

Solutions:

• Implement additional safety measures
• Consider modified extinction approach
• Increase supervision during implementation
• Use protective equipment if appropriate
• Consult BCBA about procedure modification

Challenge: Slow Response to Extinction

Solutions:

• Verify function identification
• Check for intermittent reinforcement
• Increase reinforcement for alternative behaviors
• Add supplementary intervention components
• Review implementation fidelity

Challenge: Multiple Functions

Solutions:

• Implement extinction for all identified functions
• Prioritize functions based on prevalence
• Address one function at a time if necessary
• Collect function-specific data
• Adjust plan based on response

Variations of Extinction

Modified Extinction

Adaptations to standard extinction for safety or practical reasons.

Examples:

• Minimal attention extinction: Providing brief, neutral response
• Partial extinction: Reducing but not eliminating reinforcement
• Delayed extinction: Providing reinforcement after progressively longer delays
• Stimulus control extinction: Implementing extinction in specific contexts
• Graduated extinction: Gradually increasing time before response

When to Use:

• Safety concerns prevent complete extinction
• Standard extinction causes extreme distress
• Multiple functions make complete extinction impractical
• Setting constraints limit implementation options
• Ethical considerations require modification

Extinction Combined with Other Procedures

Extinction is typically most effective when combined with other interventions.

Common Combinations:

• Extinction + DRA: Withhold reinforcement for problem behavior while reinforcing alternative
• Extinction + NCR: Provide non-contingent reinforcement while implementing extinction
• Extinction + Antecedent Interventions: Modify triggers while implementing extinction
• Extinction + Token Economy: Use token system to reinforce appropriate behaviors during extinction
• Extinction + Self-Management: Teach self-monitoring while implementing extinction

Benefits of Combined Approaches:

• Faster behavior reduction
• Decreased extinction burst intensity
• More positive learning environment
• Greater generalization and maintenance
• Increased social validity

Data Collection and Evaluation

Types of Data to Collect

• Frequency: Count occurrences of target behavior
• Duration: Measure length of behavioral episodes
• Intensity: Rate severity of behavior when it occurs
• Latency: Record time between trigger and behavior
• ABC data: Document antecedents and consequences
• Replacement behavior: Track appropriate alternative responses
• Fidelity measures: Record adherence to extinction protocol

Evaluating Effectiveness

• Trend analysis: Examine direction of change over time
• Level changes: Compare pre- and post-intervention levels
• Variability assessment: Consider consistency of response
• Extinction burst identification: Document and monitor burst pattern
• Recovery instances: Track spontaneous recovery episodes
• Alternative behavior increase: Monitor growth in appropriate behaviors
• Social validity measures: Assess acceptability and disruption

Decision-Making Based on Data

• Continue extinction: If behavior is decreasing as expected
• Modify procedure: If no change or increase after burst
• Add components: If extinction alone is insufficient
• Fade procedure: When behavior has reached acceptable levels
• Booster implementation: If spontaneous recovery persists
• Discontinue: When behavior is eliminated and alternatives established

Practice Example

An RBT is working with a 6-year-old client who engages in loud screaming during work sessions. Functional assessment indicates the behavior is maintained by escape from demands, as tasks are typically removed when screaming occurs.

Question: How should extinction be implemented for this escape-maintained behavior?

Solution:

Extinction Plan for Escape-Maintained Screaming:

1. Preparation:

   • Ensure all team members understand escape extinction procedure
   • Create visual schedule showing work expectations
   • Prepare reinforcers for appropriate work behavior
   • Establish data collection system for screaming episodes
   • Develop safety protocol for potential escalation

2. Implementation:

   • Present work tasks as scheduled
   • When screaming occurs, maintain task demands
   • Use least-to-most prompting to ensure task completion
   • Do not remove tasks or provide breaks contingent on screaming
   • Continue session until scheduled work is completed
   • Provide breaks only after work completion or appropriate break requests

3. Differential Reinforcement Component:

   • Teach appropriate break request (“Break, please” or break card)
   • Immediately honor appropriate break requests
   • Provide praise and reinforcement for task engagement
   • Initially reinforce brief work periods (e.g., 1 minute of work)
   • Gradually extend work requirements as tolerance increases

4. Data Collection:

   • Record frequency and duration of screaming
   • Document appropriate break requests
   • Track task completion
   • Note any extinction burst patterns
   • Monitor implementation fidelity

5. Evaluation and Adjustment:

   • Review data after each session
   • Expect initial increase in screaming (extinction burst)
   • Continue procedure consistently through burst phase
   • If screaming becomes dangerous, implement safety protocol
   • Adjust work difficulty if needed to ensure success
   • Gradually increase work requirements as screaming decreases

This approach directly addresses the escape function by preventing task removal following screaming, while teaching an appropriate alternative way to request breaks.

Key Points to Remember

• Extinction involves withholding reinforcement that has been maintaining a challenging behavior
• The specific extinction procedure must match the function of the behavior
• Extinction bursts are temporary increases in behavior that occur when reinforcement is first withheld
• Spontaneous recovery is the temporary reappearance of a previously extinguished behavior
• Extinction should always be combined with teaching appropriate alternative behaviors
• Consistent implementation across people and settings is essential for effectiveness
• Data collection is necessary to evaluate progress and make informed decisions
• Extinction should be implemented as part of a comprehensive behavior intervention plan
• Ethical considerations include using least restrictive interventions and obtaining informed consent
• Safety should always be the primary consideration when implementing extinction