Positive reinforcement is one of the most powerful tools in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)—and one of the easiest for parents to apply at home. At its core, positive reinforcement means adding something desirable immediately after a behavior to increase the likelihood that the behavior will happen again.
When used consistently and correctly, reinforcement can help your child with autism build new skills, reduce problem behaviors, and feel more confident. In this article, we’ll explore how positive reinforcement works, common mistakes to avoid, and practical ways to implement it in everyday routines.
What Is Positive Reinforcement?
In ABA, positive reinforcement refers to providing a reward immediately after a desirable behavior. This encourages the behavior to occur more often in the future. For example:
- Your child says “help” instead of screaming → You immediately praise and assist them.
- Your child puts on shoes without prompting → You hand them a favorite toy.
- Your child finishes homework → They earn 10 minutes of screen time.
According to the AFIRM Reinforcement Guide, reinforcement is most effective when it is immediate, consistent, and meaningful to the individual.
Why It Works
Positive reinforcement teaches your child: “When I do X, something good happens.” It builds trust and helps them connect behaviors with outcomes. This is particularly important for children with autism who benefit from clear, predictable patterns.
By reinforcing behaviors you want to see more of—like sharing, requesting, or calming down—you shift the focus from punishment to encouragement.
Step-by-Step: How to Use Positive Reinforcement at Home
- Identify the Target Behavior – Choose one or two behaviors you want to increase. Be specific.
- ✅ “Sit at the table for dinner” instead of “be good”
- ✅ “Say ‘more’ to request” instead of “communicate better”
- Pick a Reinforcer That Matters – The reward must be motivating to your child. You can use tools like a preference checklist to help identify reinforcers. Some ideas:
- Favorite snack
- Access to a toy or activity
- Extra time on a device
- Social praise (if they enjoy it)
- Reinforce Immediately – Timing is key. Deliver the reinforcer within 1–3 seconds of the desired behavior. This strengthens the connection in your child’s brain between behavior and reward.
- Be Consistent – Make sure every instance of the behavior gets reinforced at first. Over time, you can reduce how often the reward is given (called fading)—but early on, consistency is critical.
- Pair Rewards with Praise – Say what your child did right: “Nice job saying ‘help!’” or “I love how you cleaned up your toys!” This strengthens the social value of the behavior.
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Reinforcement in Everyday Routines
Positive reinforcement isn’t just for therapy sessions—it’s for everyday life. Here are examples of how you can use it throughout the day:
- Morning Routine
- ✅ Child gets dressed on their own → earns sticker toward reward chart
- Mealtime
- ✅ Child uses utensil appropriately → earns praise and access to dessert
- Playtime
- ✅ Child shares toy → earns a token toward 15 minutes of extra tablet time
- Bedtime
- ✅ Child brushes teeth without resistance → gets to pick storybook
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Positive reinforcement isn’t just for therapy sessions—it’s for everyday life. Here are examples of how you can use it throughout the day:
- ❌ Reinforcing the Wrong Behavior – Sometimes we accidentally reward problem behavior. Instead, wait for a calm or appropriate behavior, then reinforce that. For example:
- Giving a snack after a tantrum → teaches tantrums lead to snacks
- Giving attention after whining → reinforces whining
- ❌ Using Delayed Rewards – Children, especially younger ones, may not connect the reward to the behavior if there’s too much time in between.
- ❌ Not Rotating Reinforcers – Kids can get bored with the same reward. Try different reinforcers to keep motivation high.
- ❌ Ignoring Small Wins – Don’t wait for perfect behavior. Reinforce approximations and effort: “You asked for help with a whisper—great job using your voice!”
Reinforcement Schedules
Once your child consistently demonstrates the behavior, shift to a variable schedule to make the skill more durable.
- Start with continuous reinforcement (reward every time)
- Move to intermittent reinforcement (e.g., every 2–3 times)
- Eventually fade to natural reinforcement (e.g., satisfaction of success)
Learn more about reinforcement with the AFIRM Toddlers Brief Packet.
Final Thoughts
Positive reinforcement is simple, science-backed, and parent-friendly. By focusing on what your child is doing right, you create more opportunities for success, connection, and growth.
Start small, be consistent, and celebrate progress. Over time, you’ll help shape behaviors that build your child’s confidence—and your confidence as a parent too.