Overview
I would recommend extinction as an intervention only when a functional behavior assessment has confirmed the behavior’s function and when you are very sure that the environment is safe and you can be consistent. Extinction can be very effective, but it should never be used in isolation; instead, it must be paired with reinforcement of alternative, functionally equivalent behaviors, so that the child learns an appropriate way to achieve the same outcome (Cooper et al., 2020). In my personal experience, extinction has worked well in many cases, but it has also been challenging when consistency or safety could not be maintained. This is why I believe extinction is not just the responsibility of the therapist—it requires teamwork with the BCBA, teachers, and parents, all of whom must understand the plan and be prepared for what is going to happen. When explaining extinction to a parent, I would clarify that an extinction burst is a regular and predictable response. I would use the example of calling out to someone: when the person does not respond, our natural reaction is to call louder, repeat the name, or increase the intensity of our efforts to get their attention. Similarly, a child whose behavior no longer elicits the usual attention may temporarily increase the intensity, frequency, or duration of the behavior before it begins to decrease. Parents need to understand that this increase is part of the process and does not mean the intervention is failing. I would also prepare the parent for the emotional difficulty of ignoring tantrums or destructive behavior, which can be very hard for parents to tolerate. To manage extinction bursts, I would suggest that parents remain calm, ensure safety, and most importantly avoid providing the reinforcement that previously maintained the behavior At the same time, I would encourage them to reinforce appropriate replacement behaviors immediately, such as requesting attention through words or a communication card. Finally, I would emphasize that extinction is most effective when parents are supported step by step first by observing the RBT and BCBA, then practicing with guidance, and eventually implementing it independently with ongoing feedback.
Overall, extinction can be highly effective, but only if caregivers are well prepared, consistent, and supported, and if it is combined with reinforcement for positive and appropriate behaviors.
References:
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.
Walden University, LLC. (2021). Extinction [Video]. Walden University Blackboard. https://waldenu.instructure.com
Wolff, J. J., Hupp, S. C., & Symons, F. J. (2013). Brief report: Avoidance extinction as treatment for compulsive and ritual behavior in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(7), 1741–1746. https://doi.or