Skill Acquisition Flashcards
What is a Skill Acquisition Plan (SAP)?
A written plan containing behavior programming and guidelines for how to teach a specific skill.
Why is a SAP important?
One of the main job requirements of an RBT is to be able to recognize features, interpret and carry out the essential components of a Skill Acquisition Plan. SAPs are designed to give an RBT guidelines for how to decrease challenging behaviors and increase skill sets for their clients.
What is Reinforcement?
Reinforcement is a consequence, that happens after a behavior, that makes that behavior more likely to happen in the future.
What is a Contingency of Reinforcement?
Reinforcement contingencies are used to teach and maintain behaviors we want to see. This can be naturally occurring or contrived (deliberate) by us.
positive reinforcement
is the procedure of using reinforcers following a behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior happening again in the future
two categories of reinforcers
Unconditioned Reinforcer
Conditioned Reinforcer
reinforcement schedules
Continuous Reinforcement
Intermittent Reinforcement
What is Continuous Reinforcement?
A schedule of reinforcement where you reinforce a client every time a correct response is given. Used when we want to TEACH SOMETHING NEW.
What is Intermittent Reinforcement?
A schedule of reinforcement where you reinforce a client for some, but not all correct responses. Used when we want to MAINTAIN A SKILL or FADE REINFORCEMENT.
Ratio Schedule
requires a set number of correct responses to occur before reinforcement is given.
Fixed Ratio (FR)
reinforcement given after a fixed (exact number) of responses occur.
Variable Ratio (VR)
reinforcement given after a variable (average number) of responses occur.
INTERVAL SCHEDULES
requires a set amount of time to pass, with at least one correct response, before reinforcement is given
Fixed Interval (FI)
reinforcement given after a fixed (exact amount) of time passes, all correct responses displayed prior to the time limit elapsing are not reinforced.
Variable Interval (VI)
reinforcement given after a variable (average amount) of time passes, all correct responses displayed prior to the time limit elapsing are not reinforced.
two types of reinforcement?
Positive Reinforcement
Negative Reinforcement
two types of punishment?
Positive Punishment
Negative Punishment
What is Discrete-Trial Teaching (DTT)?
DTT takes a complex skill and breaks it down into small, structured parts with each part being taught in a controlled and systematic manner. Correct responses receive reinforcement.
What is Errorless Learning?
A method of teaching where the instructor provides a prompt before the learner makes an error to ensure the learner displays as few errors as possible. Also called Errorless Teaching.
Verbal Operants
Verbal operants describe different types of verbal behavior
Mand
Asking for what you want.
Tact
Labeling things in the environment
Tacting is the ability to label or describe things in the environment using language.
Echoic
repeating words
An echoic is a type of verbal behavior where a person repeats or echoes a verbal stimulus they hear.
Intraverbal
Answering questions
An intraverbal is a type of verbal behavior where a person responds to a verbal stimulus with a relevant verbal response
What are the four main verbal operants?
The four main verbal operants are mand, tact, echoic, and intraverbal.
What are verbal operants?
Verbal operants are different types of verbal behavior that describe how people use words or language to communicate.
Why is the mand considered the most important verbal operant?
The mand is considered the most important verbal operant because it allows individuals to effectively communicate their wants and needs.
How can manding be done without the use of vocal language?
Manding can be done without the use of vocal language by using gestures, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), sign language, or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.
How can AAC devices enhance communication for individuals with challenges in spoken language?
AAC devices provide an alternative or additional method of communication, allowing individuals to express their thoughts, needs, and desires effectively.
What are some examples of simple mands?
requesting a preferred item by pointing or reaching, or using a single word or vocalization
What are some examples of tacting behaviors?
labeling objects in the environment, using metaphors or metonymy, and expressing complex descriptions
How do RBTs reinforce correct responses during mand training?
by providing the requested item or a small reward to the client
What is the purpose of fading out prompts during tacting training?
is to help the client become more independent in labeling or identifying items in their environment
What are some examples of AAC devices?
speech-generating devices, tablets, picture exchange systems (PECS), and other communication apps or tools
Examples of tacts:
- Simple Tact: “That’s a dog.”
- Metaphorical Tact: “The clouds are fluffy like cotton candy.”
- Metonymical Tact: “The smell of fresh bread makes me hungry.”
- Complex Tact: “The intricate brushstrokes and vibrant colors of the painting evoke a sense of awe and wonder.”
What is a Task Analysis?
The process of taking a complex skill and breaking it down into sequentially ordered steps, so that they may be more easily learned by our clients.
What is Forward Chaining?
A task analysis procedure used to teach a client how to independently complete a complex skill, expecting the client to learn step 1 in the sequence first.
What is Backwards Chaining?
A task analysis procedure used to teach a client how to independently complete a complex skill, expecting the client to learn (gain independence with) the last step in the sequence first.
What is Total Task Chaining?
A task analysis procedure used to teach a client how to independently complete a complex skill by teaching every step of the sequence all at the same time from beginning to end.
Which type of prompt is the most difficult to fade and therefore should be used least often if possible?
Verbal prompt
What are the four main things you want to have prepared prior to running a skill acquisition plan (SAP) program?
- Instructions for the program
- Stimuli for the program
- Data collection materials for recording data
- Preferred reinforcers of your client
In a token economy system, the most important thing is:
Having valuable back-up reinforcers.
Extinction
If the client responds incorrectly, the RBT does not provide reinforcement
Stimulus or Stimuli
A change or signal in a person’s environment that can effect their behavior
What is Discrimination Training?
A strategy used in ABA to teach a client to engage in particular behaviors in the presence of certain situations, events or stimuli. This helps a client to learn the difference between meaningful stimuli.
Stimulus Control
is when a specific behavior is more likely to happen in the presence of a specific Discriminative Stimulus (Sd). Remember, the Sd is an instruction, event, or stimulus in the environment.
What is Stimulus Control Transfer?
A shift in control from one stimulus in the environment to another, by gradually eliminating prompts (assistance), so a client achieves independence.
What is Most to Least Prompting?
When we start by using the most invasive prompt (assistance) to get a correct response from our client, then decrease the prompt systematically over time until no prompt is needed.
What is Least to Most Prompting?
When we start off prompting (assisting) a client with the least amount of prompting needed to elicit a correct response
What is Prompt Delay?
When we give a client the opportunity to respond independently before we prompt (assist) them. This is also know as Time Delay.
What is Generalization?
Learning that takes place beyond what has been directly taught. Involves the ability to take a learned behavior or skill, and use it in a different way.
What is Maintenance?
When a learner can demonstrate a behavior or skill previously mastered, across time, long after the period of formal, intensive teaching has stopped
What is Shaping
Reinforcing successive approximations (steps towards mastery) of a behavior until the target behavior is achieved and mastered completely.
What is a Token Economy?
A reinforcement method where a learner earn tokens (stars, stickers, marbles, tickets, etc.) for displaying a desired behavior. When all tokens are earned, they are exchanged for a larger prize. The prize could be a small piece of candy, iPad time, or a fun activity.
