question

RBT (Registered Behavior Technician)

answer

A paraprofessional who practices under a BCBA or BCaBA

question

What is the primary responsibility of the RBT?

answer

The direct implementation of treatment plans developed by the BCBA or BCaBA

question

RBT Task List

answer

1.Measurement 2. Assessment 3. Skill Acquisition 4. Behavior Reduction 5. Documenting and Reporting 6. Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice

question

What is the BACB?

answer

Behavior Analyst Certification Board; the organization that confers certification and credentialing to all 3 levels of practitioners (BCBA, BCaBA, RBT)

question

The Hierarchy of Credentialing

answer

BCBA - Board Certified Behavior Analyst; graduate certification BCaBA - Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst; undergrad certification RBT - Registered Behavior Technician; paraprofessional who practices under BCBA or BCaBA

question

What percent of an RBT's hours must be supervised by a BCBA/BCaBA?

answer

5%

question

What is ABA?

answer

One of the only research based methods for the treatment of behavior in Autism; aims to improve clients' life by increasing prosocial behaviors and decreasing maladaptive behaviors

question

Characteristics of ABA

answer

1. Applied 2. Behavioral 3. Analytic 4. Technological 5. Conceptually Systematic 6. Effective 7. Generality

question

Characteristics: Applied

answer

ABA is used to make improvements that are socially significant in clients' daily lives.

question

Characteristics: Behavioral

answer

The subject of ABA therapy must be the exact observable behavior targeted for change.

question

Characteristic: Analytic

answer

Treatment must based off of observable and repeatable methods and demonstrate functional relationships.

question

Characteristics: Technological

answer

Procedures must be identified and described with detail and clarity so that any reader has the ability to replicate the application with the same results.

question

Characteristics: Conceptually Systematic

answer

Procedures must be based around evidence-based methods.

question

Characteristics: Effective

answer

Treatments must be shown to produce significant positive change in subject's life.

question

Characteristics: Generality

answer

The behavior changed by the procedure must be able to last over time and be applied to multiple socially appropriate situations.

question

Reinforcement

answer

The addition or removal of a stimulus following a behavior that INCREASES the probability that the behavior will be repeated.

question

Punishment

answer

The addition or removal of a stimulus following a behavior that DECREASES the probability that the behavior will be repeated.

question

Motivating Operation

answer

An environmental variable that alters the reinforcing or punishing aspect of a stimulus/object/event OR alters the frequency of all behavior reinforced or punished by that stimulus/object/behavior.

question

Stimulus Control

answer

A situation where the frequency/duration/severity of behavior is altered by the presence or absence of an antecedent stimulus.

question

Operant Conditioning

answer

The basic principle of learning of which behavior is controlled by consequences. Key concepts in operant conditioning are positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment and negative punishment.

question

Schedules of Reinforcement

answer

Rules specifying environmental arrangements and response conditions for reinforcement.

question

2 Categories of Schedules of Reinforcement

answer

1. Continuous - reinforcement is given after every correct response 2. Intermittent - not continuous

question

4 Types of Intermittent Schedules of Reinforcement

answer

1. Fixed-Ratio (FR) - reinforcement given after a constant or "fixed" number of correct responses 2. Fixed-Interval (FI) - reinforcement becomes available after a specific period of time; reinforcement is given if the correct response is emitted after the given time period has ended 3. Variable-Ratio (VR) - the delivery of reinforcement will "vary" but must average out at a specific number 4. Variable-Interval (VI) - the time periods that must pass before reinforcement becomes available will vary but must average out at a specific time interval

question

Measurement

answer

The process of applying quantitative labels to observed properties of events using a standard set of rules.

question

Data

answer

The common term used for measurement in the practice of ABA.

question

Why do practitioners use data/measurement?

answer

To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions - if they are effective, we continue them; if they are ineffective, we use research to guide alterations to the interventions until an efficient and appropriate solution is found.

question

Baseline Measurements

answer

The initial data on targets in which we test future successes of an intervention against.

question

Examples of Measurement/Data Collection

answer

5 trial data sheets; 1 trial probe data sheets; Behavior frequency tracking forms; Behavior duration tracking forms; ABC behavior charts

question

Definitional Measures: Topography

answer

The physical form or shape of behavior Ex. - A hit is defined as the movement of the client's hand towards others that causes injury

question

Definitional Measures: Magnitude

answer

The force or intensity with which a response is emitted. Ex. - A scream vs. a whisper

question

Properties of The Measurable Dimensions of Behavior

answer

1. Repeatability/ Countable 2. Temporal Locus 3. Temporal Extent

question

Repeatability/Countable

answer

Behavior can be counted

question

Temporal Locus

answer

When the behavior occurs

question

Temporal Extent

answer

Duration of the behavior

question

Measures Based on Repeatability

answer

1. Count 2. Rate/Frequency 3. Celeration

question

Count

answer

Number or responses emitted during an observed period

question

Count Examples

answer

Joe smiled 3 times to peers. Bob slapped a peer 4 times. We saw 0 instances of verbal refusal.

question

Rate/Frequency

answer

- Ratio of count per observation period - Reported as a number per standard unit of time

question

____ is a combination of count and the observable time, making it a stronger and more comprehensive form of measurement than count alone.

answer

Rate

question

Rate/Frequency Example

answer

Bob hit 5 times in 30 minutes.

question

Celeration

answer

Measure of the change in rate of responding per unit of time (Acceleration, Deceleration)

question

Measure Based on Temporal Extent

answer

Duration

question

Duration

answer

The amount of time a behavior occurs reported in standard time units

question

Measures Based on Temporal Locus

answer

1. Response Latency 2. Inter Response Time (IRT)

question

Response Latency

answer

Delay between the stimulus and response Ex. - It took Bob 3 seconds to clap after being asked

question

Inter Response Time (IRT)

answer

The measure of elapsed time between two successive responses Ex. - Bob clapped once, then clapped again 2 seconds later

question

Continuous Measurement

answer

Measures all of the responses over a given period

question

Discontinuous Measurement

answer

Captures responses within a specified time limit 1. Event Recording 2. Time Sampling

question

Event Recording

answer

Documenting the number of times a target behavior occurs and the time period in which the behavior is observed; commonly use data sheets or counters

question

Event Recording is appropriate for behaviors that are...

answer

Frequent enough too be recorded within a specific time period, but not too frequent that it is difficult to record accurately.

question

Time Sampling

answer

Used in a variety of methods for observing and recording behavior during intervals or at specific moments in time; observation is divided into intervals, and presence or absence of behavior is recorded for each intervals (yes or no, as opposed to frequency)

question

Time Sampling: Whole-Interval Recording

answer

Used for continuous behavior which have longer durations to show that they take up longer spaces of time; mark yes if the behavior occurred the whole time of the interval *Risk of underestimating the behavior

question

Time Sampling: Partial-Interval Recording

answer

Used at the end of an interval; mark yes if the behavior occurred at any time during the interval *Risk of overestimating the behavior

question

Time Sampling: Momentary Time Sampling

answer

Captures whether the behavior is occurring at the end of the interval; often used in classrooms with many students when the observer can not focus on one subject for long

question

Permanent Product Recording

answer

Uses the effects of the environment to measure behavior; can be thought of as what the client themselves leaves as a record of the behavior, rather than an outside observation and recording

question

Permanent Product Recording Examples

answer

- A written test may record what answers are correct or incorrect - A coloring sheet may record the product of writing or drawing - A hole in the wall may record intensity of property destruction behavior

question

Behavior

answer

Anything that a living thing does within its surroundings.

question

Characteristics of Behavior

answer

- Observable - Individual - Continuous - Determined by functional relations with other events - Variability is extrinsic to the organism

question

When defining behavior, it should be done using an _____ _____.

answer

Observational Definition (in a way that anyone who witnesses it would note it as occurring)

question

Preference Assessment

answer

Procedures used to determine: 1. Stimuli that the person prefers 2. Preference value of those stimuli (high vs. low) 3. Conditions when those preferences values change (increased demands, states of deprivation, or when reinforcement schedules are modified)

question

Ways to Conduct Preference Assessments

answer

1. Ask the person or those closest to the person 2. Free Operant Observation 3. Trial Based Methods

question

Preference Assessment: Ask

answer

1. Open ended questions 2. Choice format 3. Rank ordering

question

Preference Assessment: Free Operant Observation

answer

Observe the person and record what the person engages in and for how long 1. Contrived - stimuli are set in view for the person to see 2. Naturalistic - learner's natural environment

question

Preference Assessment: Trial Based Methods

answer

Method in which stimuli are presented to the learner in trials and the learner's response is noted for preference 1. Single Stimulus ("successive choice") 2. Paired Stimuli ("forced choice") 3. Multiple Stimuli

question

Preference Assessment: Trial Based, Single Stimulus

answer

1 stimuli is presented at a time *Appropriate when learner has difficulty choosing between 2 stimuli

question

Preference Assessment: Trial Based, Paired Stimuli

answer

2 stimuli are presented at a time; each possible pairing of stimuli is presented to the person and the stimuli are ranked by preference according to how many times each stimuli was chosen *More time consuming, but may be more accurate

question

Preference Assessment: Multiple Stimuli

answer

A group of 3 or more items are presented at a time (With Replacement or Without Replacement)

question

Behavioral Analysts use these four methods of assessment

answer

1. Interviews 2. Checklists 3. Direct Observation (ABC data) 4. Tests

question

The methods used for assessment include _____ and _____ observation.

answer

direct and indirect

question

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

answer

The foundation to creating a behavior plan

question

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is used to:

answer

1. Hypothesize the relationship between the behavior and environmental events 2. Determine the function of the target behavior 3. Identify reinforcers that maintain the problem behavior 4. Provide a framework for creating the treatments used in the behavior plan

question

FBAs consist of four steps:

answer

1. Gather information through indirect and descriptive assessment 2. Interpret information to form a hypothesis about the purpose of the problem behavior 3. Test the hypothesis using functional analysis 4. Develop intervention options based on the functions of the problem behavior

question

Indirect Assessment includes:

answer

Interviewing family and team members about behavior and conducting surveys which show possible functions of behavior

question

Descriptive Assessment includes:

answer

1. ABC Continuous Recording (codes) 2. ABC Narrative (detailed)

question

ABC data

answer

A - Antecedent B - Behavior C - Consequences

question

Reinforcement is most effective when used ______.

answer

Immediately after the behavior

question

Reinforcement always makes a behavior _____.

answer

Increase

question

Positive Reinforcement

answer

A preferred stimulus is added and the behavior increases *Most common in ABA

question

Examples of Positive Reinforcement

answer

1. Verbal praise (good job!) 2. Tangibles (food, toys) 3. Access to preferred activities (breaks)

question

Negative Reinforcement

answer

An aversive stimulus is removed and the behavior increases

question

Negative Reinforcement is rarely used in sessions; however, it may be more commonly used in what type of situation?

answer

Aversive situations already present in the environment in order to build skills that decrease the child's exposure to them

question

Examples of situations in which negative reinforcement would be effective

answer

1. A client does not like a certain sound, requests it be removed, and it is removed. Requesting behaviors are reinforced. 2. One peer is being bullied by another, they use social skills to stop it, the bullying stops. The social skills are reinforced.

question

Behavior Plan

answer

A strategy to reduce maladaptive behaviors and increase prosocial behaviors; provides a framework for the therapeutic sessions and gives all practitioners a common set of knowledge by which to treat the client

question

Behavior Plan: Treatment Topics

answer

1. Description of the Individual 2. Goal of the Intervention 3. Descriptions of Target Behaviors 4. Maintaining Factors

question

RBTs use Behavior Plans to:

answer

1. Reference current behaviors they may be seeing during sessions. 2. Follow interventions to reduce the maladaptive behaviors. 3. Infer any changes in functions that may change over the course of treatment. 4. Use the same interventions across all acting practitioners in order to maintain consistency.

question

Skill Acquisition Plan

answer

Programs used to increase specific skills and learning targets for a client

question

Skill Acquisition Plans are based off a baseline test of skills such as:

answer

1. ABLLS-R 2. VBMAPP

question

Task Analysis

answer

Breaking a complex skill into smaller and teachable units

question

Examples of skills that can be taught using Task Analysis

answer

1. Tying a Shoe 2. Writing

question

Discrete Trial Training

answer

A method of teaching in simplified and structured steps; the skill is broken down and "built up" using discrete trials *One of the strongest evidence based methods for teaching clients with ASD

question

Prompting

answer

Antecedent stimuli used to either begin or correct a target behavior in order to help behaviors reach their targeted form

question

Prompting Hierarchy

answer

1. Full Physical 2. Partial Physical 3. Modeling 4. Gesture 5. Verbal 6. Independent

question

It is advisable to use the ____ _____ form of prompting as possible to give the learner the best chance to be reinforced independently.

answer

least intrusive

question

Fading

answer

Progressing from the highest form of prompting to a lesser form of prompting; eventually, only the original stimulus (without prompts) preceding an independent response would result in reinforcement.

question

Example of Fading

answer

Beginning with hand over hand for a writing task, reinforcing, then only doing partial touches to guide the pencil, then only gesturing, then only verbally instructing.

question

Prompt Dependence

answer

The situation in which a long history of prompting followed by reinforcement causes the learner to become dependent on assistance.

question

Generalization

answer

The learner's performance of a target behavior in a setting or stimulus in which direct training has not been provided ("in the real world")

question

Examples of Generalization

answer

1. We teach a client to say "Hello" at the center, and the client then says "Hello" at home during similar situations. 2. We teach a client potty training in the center, and the client is able to generalize that skill at home as well and can use them independently.

question

Maintenance

answer

The extent to which a learner continues to perform the target behavior after the intervention has been terminated.

question

Functions of Behavior

answer

1. Sensory/Automatic Reinforcement 2. Social Attention 3. Tangibles/Access 4. Escape/Avoidance

question

True or False: Reprimands may increase or maintain maladaptive behaviors.

answer

True, because reprimands are still providing the reinforcement of social attention which could potentially be the function of the maladaptive behavior.

question

Differential Reinforcement

answer

Selective reinforcement of one behavior from among others; used when a behavior already occurs and has good form, but tends to get lost among other behaviors

question

Forms of Differential Reinforcement

answer

1. DRO - Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior 2. DRA - Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behaviors 3. DRI - Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behaviors 4. DRL/DRH - Differential Reinforcement of Lower/Higher Rates

question

DRO

answer

Reinforcement is delivered whenever the problem behavior does NOT occur Ex. - No aggression occurs within a period of time, and the client receives a reinforcer.

question

DRA

answer

Reinforcement is provided for a desired alternative behavior in order to decrease the target behavior. Ex. - Reinforcement is provided after a client raises their hand to ask a question, rather than shouting out the answer as they had done before.

question

DRI

answer

Reinforcement is provided to a behavior that cannot occur simultaneously with the behavior targeted for decrease. Ex. - Reinforcement is provided when a client is sitting, when the target behavior set for decrease is repetitive jumping.

question

DRH vs. DRL

answer

Used when behaviors are needed to gradually increase (DRH) or decrease (DRL). Ex. of DRL - Singing is a socially appropriate behavior, but high rate singing may not be. If a client sings a song 20 times an hour, reinforcing an interval where the behavior takes place 10 times may help in decreasing that behavior. Ex. of DRH - Walking is an important behavior, but if a client takes 1 step every 10 seconds, it may not be functional. Reinforcing periods where there is an increase in the rate of the behavior may increase the probability that the behavior is completed at a faster pace.

question

Extinction

answer

Condition where reinforcement is stopped completely; this results in the behavior's frequency decreasing *Do not confuse with thinning, which is the reduction of reinforcement

question

Extinction Example

answer

Presenting a task condition repeatedly following a behavior that has recently been rewarded through escape. By removing the escape condition completely, the behaviors used to escape diminish.

question

Crisis Plans

answer

A plan put in place to deal with behavioral escalation that is a danger to the client or others.

question

Session Notes

answer

1. Provide parents and supervisors with a log of information about a session that goes outside the limited scope of behavior data. 2. Provide a record for services that may be used by outside agencies (the county, insurance providers, etc.) 3. They aid BCBAs in session frequency, changes in conditions during unobserved sessions, and provide a broader picture for progression. 4. They aid fellow therapists in what daily therapy may look like

question

Daily Therapy Logs

answer

Used to record clinical hours with clients in order to track confirmed time worked.

question

RBTs should reach out to BCBAs when:

answer

1. You have a question regarding programming with a client 2. You have a question about specific ABA concepts or methodology 3. There is a drastic change in the client's behavior 4. There are ongoing trends that you may notice in day to day practice that may not be evident in the data

question

Important things to communicate with parents:

answer

1. Client progress in a new skill or an improvement in prosocial behaviors 2. Changes to your schedule or availability

question

Important things to communicate with administration:

answer

1. When you need to cancel or reschedule a session 2. Issues that involve multiple clients, therapy logistics, payroll, and long term plans

question

Situations in which an Incident Report Form must be filled out:

answer

1. A client was injured in any way during a session 2. An emergency situation where a parent was called or notified to take a client home early 3. Signs of illness or scenarios where first aid is required 4. Any condition where a restraint is used during dangerous or self-injurious behavior

question

Scenarios in which an incident report must be filled out also requires the RBT to notify:

answer

1. Administration 2. BCBA 3. Parent

question

If you suspect that a client is the victim of abuse, you must:

answer

1. Report it 2. Notify administrators, staff, and supervisors

question

Errorless Teaching Procedure

answer

1. Prompt 2. Transfer 3. Distract (a few easy/mastered tasks) 4. Check

question

True or False: The RBT may be asked to complete certain tasks to aid in assessment or intervention.

answer

True, within areas of competence, and at the discretion of the supervising BCBA, BCaBA, or FL-CBA.

question

Why is it important not to engage in multiple relationships, conflicts of interest, or social media contacts with clients?

answer

These interactions can blur the line between professional and social relationships and ultimately affect the services you provide to the client or the integrity of your professional relationship.

RBT Credential – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards