LSCI Use Behavior Modification Techniques In Treatment

Behavior modification refers to establishing appropriate behavior in individuals and discouraging those that are undesirable. In Behavior modification, patients/clients are taught skills to monitor and alter undesirable behaviors, such as impulsivity and time on task, and then are assisted in implementing the techniques at home, school and in the community. Techniques used in behavior modification include positive and negative reinforcement, extinction, creating a rewards menu and token economy, and teaching parents the behavior plan. Parents, children and teachers are included in structuring and implementing the behavior modification plan.

The “ABC” model of behaviors is one way to use behavior modification. This model encourages patients and people involved in the patient’s life to identify the Antecedent of the behavior, then to identify the actual Behavior being targeted to change and lastly to identify the Consequences to the behaviors to encourage change.

Therapists teach families to modify antecedents, for example, to remove distractions, rephrase how authority figures give commands, teaching positive parenting tools and using token economies. We start with short term goals that the patient can achieve, then we teach consistency across behavior settings and encourage continuation of skill use in long term to ensure continued success.

The results of behavior modification are often tremendous. The patient and parent are able to get along with each other, school problem behaviors greatly decrease, the patient is able to self-regulate behaviors, and the patient is able to use positive social skills and problem-solving skills.