Autism Spectrum Disorders Teaching Skills: Changing Behavior

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These training materials were created for the Autism Center of Excellence at Western Michigan University.  In order to address new accessibility standards, content and format of courses will be updated in the near future.

Behavioral Technician Training on Applied Behavioral Analysis Part 4: Teaching Skills by Krista Kennedy, MS, LLP, BCBA is the fourth of a planned seven-part series providing Behavior Technician Training on Applied Behavioral Analysis to direct care workers. Part 4 defines "reinforcement." Additionally, in this part there is a discussion regarding the effects reinforcement has on behavior and the effects of motivation on reinforcement. It will take approximately one hour to complete this course.

What is Reinforcement in Applied Behavioral Analysis?

Participants of this course will develop a working understanding of reinforcement as it pertains to ABA and working with clients at attribute symptoms of the Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The Effect of Reinforcement on Behavior.

This course will also cover the effect that reinforcement has on the behavioral learning process. 

Reinforcer Effectiveness.

How effective is a reinforcer and reinforcement efforts? This course will provide examples and evidence-based best practices on working to provide reinforcement for your clients. 

Motivation and Reinforcement.

This course provides the participants with a working understanding of the role of motivation within Applied Behavioral Analysis. Once completed, participants should be able to make a clear correlation between motivation and reinforcement. 

Routine can be powerful in reinforcing a feeling of well-being and stability for autistic individuals.

  • Define reinforcement
  • Discuss the effects reinforcement has on behavior
  • Discuss reinforcer effectiveness
  • Discuss immediacy of reinforcement
  • Understand the effects motivation has on reinforcement

Krista Kennedy, MS, LLP, BCBA

Director of Behavioral Services

Krista Kennedy is the Director of Behavioral Services at Children's Hospital of Michigan Autism Center. Her work at the center involves the development and oversight of all the behavior programming and the behavioral services staff. Prior to her work at Children's Hospital, she worked in the field of autism for over 10 years with families and schools throughout the Metro Detroit area. Krista earned degrees in ABA and behavioral psychology from Eastern and Western Michigan Universities. She is enrolled in the Educational Psychology Department at Wayne State University as a PhD candidate. Krista has developed and instructed behavioral intervention and theory courses at Eastern Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University. She also sits on a task force for Wayne County to develop a system of care for people with autism.

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The course gave me a better understanding of the difficulties consumers endure concerning the stigma and prejudice of dealing with a mental illness."
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