Extinction Burst: Extinction is a method you will use as an RBT to get rid of bad habits. You may notice that a habit gets temporarily worse before it goes away. This is called an extinction burst. When reward stops being given, there is a short, sharp rise in behavior called an extinction burst.
An example of an extinction burst is when you stop buying your daughter chocolate bars and she starts to whine more for a short time. Habits that are hostile or emotionally charged might emerge in such situations.
What Does “Extinction Burst” Mean?
When a reward is suddenly withdrawn from a behaviour, the frequency, intensity, or length of the activity momentarily rises, and then drops, a phenomenon known as an extinction burst occurs.
Extinction Burst Example
The parent generally gives in when the child cries out for candy at the store. The parent stops giving the child candy when they cry one day (extinction).
What will happen next?
Maybe the child will scream or cry more, or they might even have an extinction burst. It will get better over time if the parent doesn’t give in and stays firm. If, on the other hand, the parent gives in during the meltdown, the child learns that acting out more makes the problem worse.
Using hand waving as an example, a child with autism does it to get attention. When the hand-flapping stops, the RBT and the caregivers stop responding to it.
It all starts with the baby flapping even more, maybe even more forcefully or with a louder sound (extinction burst). Consistent reinforcement of alternative actions by caregivers may lead to a gradual reduction in hand-flapping.
What can RBTs do to handle Extinction Bursts?
Stay Strong—Do not give up during the burst if the backup is taken away. If you don’t, the behaviour could get worse.
Teach Different Behaviors—Instead of ignoring the bad behavior, teach and encourage a better way to let them know what you need.
Implement Differential Reinforcement- Reinforceor desired behaviours while disregarding problematic behaviours. Let’s say a child screams for attention. Only pay attention when they ask nicely.
Get caregivers and teachers ready – Parents and teachers need to know about extinction bursts so they don’t support the behavior during intensification.
Ensure Safety—During an extinction burst, some habits may turn out to be dangerous. Talk to your BCBA boss for help if your anger or self-harm gets worse.
Conclusion
Extinction bursts happen naturally and temporarily when support is taken away. It’s your job as an RBT to be ready to handle the extension burst and make sure your client is safe.