Using a Token Economy to Treat Escape-Maintained Problem Behavior Without Extinction

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

• Escape extinction procedures for problem behavior can be impractical and risky for practitioners.
• Alternative strategies are needed to manage escape-maintained behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a delayed reinforcement token system as an alternative to extinction for treating escape-maintained problem behavior in students with ASD.
• To determine if extinction is a necessary component in reducing escape-maintained behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A multiple probe design was used across four participants with ASD.
• A delayed reinforcement token system was implemented, involving a 30-second break contingent on problem behaviors and tokens for compliance.
• Intervention was conducted in both school and home settings.

Main Results:

• All four participants demonstrated substantial increases in compliance.
• Significant reductions in escape-maintained problem behavior were observed for all participants.
• The token system proved effective in managing challenging behaviors.

Conclusions:

• Extinction procedures are not essential for eliminating escape-maintained problem behavior in children with autism.
• A delayed reinforcement token system offers a viable and effective alternative to extinction-based interventions.
• This strategy can be successfully implemented in both educational and home environments.