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Programming for Generalization and Maintenance

Author: Capella Partnered with CARD
PDF Version

what's covered
This lesson will explore programming for generalization and maintenance by defining and discussing the following:
  1. Programming for Generalization and Maintenance
  2. Promoting Generalization and Maintenance
    1. Thin Reinforcement Schedules
    2. Use Naturally Occurring Reinforcement and Stimuli
    3. Practice Skills in Natural Settings and with Different People
    4. Vary Instructions or SDs
    5. Provide Reinforcement for Generalized Skills When They Occur

1. Programming for Generalization and Maintenance

Regardless of whether you’ve taught a new behavior or decreased an inappropriate behavior, it is important that these behavior changes

  • continue over time
  • occur in all relevant environments
  • spread to other related behaviors
In order for our patients to use their skills, they must maintain what they have learned over time (maintenance) AND they must be able to demonstrate their skills with different people, in different places, and with different materials (generalization).

Your BCBA will design specific procedures for both maintenance and generalization of skills. Individuals who are typically developing usually generalize skills naturally without assistance, but for atypically developing individuals, generalization and maintenance often don’t occur on their own, and specific procedures are often needed.

big idea
Generalization and maintenance are the goals of ABA!

2. Promoting Generalization and Maintenance

In this course, you learned about behavior management and reviewed an example and components of a plan used to decrease behavior that may be considered challenging. Just as important are the skills that you will teach in your role as a behavior therapist. Fortunately, your BCBA will also give you written teaching protocols for the skills you will teach.

EXAMPLE

If you are teaching someone to brush their teeth, there will be a written protocol on how they want you to teach that skill. There will most likely be step by step directions on how you approach this including what type of acquisition approach they want you to take (such as chaining or shaping).

Other elements of skill acquisition programs may include the types of reinforcers to be used, the conditions under which to conduct the teaching session, etc.

To promote generalization and maintenance, we want to

  • thin reinforcement schedules
  • use naturally occurring reinforcement and stimuli
  • practice skills in natural settings and with different people
  • vary instructions or SDs
  • provide reinforcement for generalized skills when they occur
2a. Thin Reinforcement Schedules
You should thin reinforcement schedules, gradually decreasing the frequency of reinforcement for skills to a more “naturally occurring” rate of reinforcement for mastered and maintenance targets.

EXAMPLE

At first, Sanji receives a reinforcer after each math problem he completes. After he can complete several math problems, the reinforcement schedule changes so that he receives reinforcement after every five problems, then every seven problems, then after completing each worksheet, etc.

Video Transcript

2b. Use Naturally Occurring Reinforcement and Stimuli
To promote generalization and maintenance, you should also use naturally occurring reinforcement and stimuli.

EXAMPLE

When teaching Carla how to open bottles, the behavior technician uses a clear bottle with a reinforcer inside, such as crackers.

Video Transcript

2c. Practice Skills in Natural Settings and with Different People
It is also important to practice skills in natural settings and with different people.

EXAMPLE

The behavior technician has Georganna practice brushing her teeth in the bathroom, responding to greetings at the park with peers, and using a spoon while eating.

Video Transcript

2d. Vary Instructions or SDs
Another way to promote generalization and maintenance is to vary instructions or discriminative stimuli.

EXAMPLE

The behavior technician says “Touch fish,” “Where’s the fish?”, and “Do you see any fish?”, when teaching the patient to identify fish.

Video Transcript

2e. Provide Reinforcement for Generalized Skills When They Occur
Finally, you should provide reinforcement for generalized skills when they occur, especially when they occur spontaneously without prompting.

EXAMPLE

The behavior technician has been teaching Ra’Chel to tact grapes. While at the grocery store, Ra’Chel sees grapes and says, “Grapes.”

Video Transcript

summary
In this lesson, you learned about programming for generalization and maintenance, noting that for individuals who are atypically developing, generalization and maintenance often don’t occur on their own, and specific procedures are often needed. To promote generalization and maintenance, we want to thin reinforcement schedules, use naturally occurring reinforcement and stimuli, practice skills in natural settings and with different people, vary instructions, or SDs, and provide reinforcement for generalized skills when they occur, especially when they occur spontaneously without prompting.

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