How ABA Extinction Helps Reduce Problem Behaviors

Key Points:

• ABA extinction is a structured approach to reducing unwanted behaviors by removing reinforcement that maintains them.
• Understanding why a behavior occurs is critical for effectively applying extinction techniques.
• Combining extinction with positive reinforcement and consistent strategies helps children replace problem behaviors with functional skills.

Children with autism or developmental differences often display behaviors that challenge daily life—hitting, tantrums, screaming, or self-injury, to name a few. These behaviors can be distressing for both parents and children. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy offers a variety of strategies to help reduce problem behaviors, and one of the most effective is extinction. By carefully and systematically using extinction, children can learn to replace disruptive behaviors with functional, positive alternatives. 

Understanding Extinction in ABA

Before diving into strategies, it’s important to know what extinction really means in ABA. In simple terms, extinction occurs when a previously reinforced behavior is no longer reinforced, leading to a reduction in that behavior over time.

For example, if a child throws a tantrum to get attention and parents consistently respond, the behavior is reinforced. By using extinction—such as temporarily withholding attention—the tantrum may gradually decrease because it no longer achieves the desired outcome.

Why Extinction Works

Extinction relies on the principle of operant conditioning: behaviors that are not rewarded are less likely to occur. Its effectiveness comes from:

1. Consistency – Everyone interacting with the child must respond in the same way.
2. Understanding function – Knowing why a behavior occurs (attention, escape, sensory stimulation, tangibles) ensures extinction is applied correctly.
3. Patience – Behavior may initially increase (extinction burst) before it decreases, which is normal and expected.

Understanding these principles helps parents and therapists maintain confidence in the process and avoid inadvertently reinforcing the behavior.

Identifying the Function of Problem Behaviors

One of the first steps in using extinction is to determine why a behavior occurs. ABA therapy emphasizes the importance of functional behavior assessment (FBA) to pinpoint triggers and reinforcements.

Common Functions of Problem Behaviors

1. Attention-seeking: A child may scream, yell, or engage in aggressive behavior to gain attention from parents, teachers, or peers. Extinction involves withholding attention until the behavior stops.
2. Escape or avoidance: Some children act out to avoid tasks they find challenging or unpleasant. With extinction, you gradually prevent the escape from occurring while providing support to complete the task.
3. Access to tangibles: Behaviors like grabbing or whining may be attempts to obtain toys, food, or other desired items. Extinction ensures the child cannot achieve these items through problem behaviors.
4. Sensory stimulation: Certain behaviors provide intrinsic sensory feedback (e.g., hand-flapping, rocking). Extinction in these cases may require replacing the behavior with a safer or more appropriate sensory activity rather than ignoring entirely.

By accurately identifying the function, ABA therapists can design extinction strategies that are precise, safe, and effective.

Common Extinction Procedures in ABA

Applying extinction in ABA is more than “ignoring” a behavior. It’s a structured approach, often paired with reinforcement for positive behaviors. Below are the most common methods:

1. Planned Ignoring

• In this approach, attention-seeking behaviors are not reinforced.
• Example: If a child throws a tantrum to get a parent’s attention, the parent remains calm, avoids eye contact, and does not respond until the child is calm.
• Over time, the child learns that tantrums are not an effective way to get attention.

2. Escape Extinction

• Used when a child engages in problem behavior to avoid a task.
• Example: If a child refuses to do a puzzle and throws items to avoid it, the adult continues the task with support, breaking it into manageable steps.
• Gradually, the child learns that avoidance behaviors do not remove the task.

3. Extinction with Differential Reinforcement

• Combines extinction of problem behavior with reinforcement of an alternative behavior.
• Example: Instead of yelling for a toy, the child is taught to use words or a gesture to request it. Problem behavior is ignored, while the alternative behavior is reinforced consistently.
• This ensures the child still achieves outcomes in a socially appropriate way.

4. Sensory Extinction

• For behaviors maintained by internal reinforcement (e.g., spinning objects for visual stimulation), the therapist may provide alternative activities that fulfill the same sensory need.
• This approach ensures safety while respecting the child’s sensory requirements.

Managing the Extinction Burst

One of the challenges parents notice is an extinction burst—a temporary increase in the behavior when reinforcement is first removed.

Tips to Handle Extinction Bursts

• Stay consistent: Do not give in during the burst; otherwise, the behavior is reinforced.
• Ensure safety: Keep the child safe, especially if the behavior is aggressive or self-injurious.
• Prepare emotionally: Expect frustration from both the child and parent, but remember this phase is temporary.
• Use reinforcement for positive behavior: Immediately reinforce any attempts to engage appropriately.

Extinction bursts are a sign that the strategy is working—the behavior is still attempting to achieve its previous reward. Properly managing this phase is crucial for long-term behavior reduction.

Step-by-Step Guide for Parents Using ABA Extinction

Implementing extinction at home can feel daunting, but a structured approach makes it more manageable. Here’s a practical guide:

Identify the target behavior

• Observe when and why the behavior occurs.
• Keep a log to see patterns.

Determine the function

• Ask: Is the behavior for attention, escape, tangible items, or sensory input?
• Understanding the “why” guides which extinction procedure to use.

Select the appropriate extinction method

• Attention-seeking → Planned ignoring.
• Escape → Escape extinction.
• Tangibles → Withhold access until appropriate request.
• Sensory → Redirect to safe alternatives.

Combine with reinforcement for positive behavior

• Identify functional replacement behaviors.
• Reinforce these immediately to encourage repetition.

Prepare for extinction bursts

• Know it’s temporary.
• Keep calm, stay consistent, and ensure safety.

Track progress

• Record frequency, intensity, and duration of behaviors.
• Adjust strategies as needed in collaboration with an ABA therapist.

Following these steps ensures extinction is applied systematically and safely, maximizing the likelihood of success.

Benefits of ABA Extinction for Children

When applied correctly, extinction provides several key benefits:

• Reduces frequency of problem behaviors: Children learn that undesirable behaviors no longer yield the intended outcome.
• Encourages alternative behaviors: Paired with reinforcement, extinction teaches functional ways to meet needs.
• Promotes independence: As problem behaviors decrease, children gain more control over their actions and outcomes.
• Supports family well-being: Less disruptive behavior reduces stress, creating a calmer home environment.

Parents often notice that children begin to communicate needs more effectively, and positive behaviors gradually replace the behaviors that once caused frustration.

Integrating Extinction with Overall ABA Therapy

Extinction is rarely used in isolation. ABA therapy works best when extinction is combined with other strategies:

• Positive reinforcement: Rewarding desired behavior strengthens learning.
• Skill building: Teach communication, coping, and self-regulation skills.
• Consistent routines: Predictable schedules reduce the likelihood of problem behaviors.
• Parent training: Families learn how to apply strategies consistently across settings.

By embedding extinction within a comprehensive ABA program, children gain the skills to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

Supporting Your Child Through ABA Extinction

ABA extinction can be a transformative approach for helping children reduce problem behaviors when applied thoughtfully and with care. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Understand the function of the behavior before applying extinction. Knowing why a behavior occurs is the first step toward meaningful change.
• Pair extinction with reinforcement for positive, functional behaviors, so children learn more effective ways to communicate and get their needs met.
• Expect temporary increases in behavior (extinction bursts) and approach them calmly with patience and reassurance.
• Track progress and adjust strategies with guidance from an experienced ABA therapist.
• Maintain consistency across caregivers and settings to support long-term success.

For parents seeking compassionate guidance and structured support, Attentive Autism Care offers ABA therapy programs designed to meet each child’s unique needs. Our team works closely with families to implement strategies like extinction safely and effectively, helping children build functional skills while reducing challenging behaviors. If you’re ready to support your child’s growth, get in touch today to explore ABA therapy in Utah, Maryland, Colorado, North Carolina, New Mexico, or Nebraska and take the next step toward positive change.