Most people wait for a problem behavior to happen, and then they react. "Stop that!" "Time out!"

In ABA, we prefer to play defense. Antecedent Interventions are strategies we use before the behavior ever happens to prevent it entirely. If we do our job right, the problem behavior never even occurs.

Executive Summary

This video covers the most effective preventative tools in the RBT toolkit. Instead of reacting to behavior, we manipulate the environment (Antecedents) and motivation (MOs). We explore Noncontingent Reinforcement (NCR), High-Probability Request Sequences (High-P), and Functional Communication Training (FCT).

⏱️ Video Timeline

00:00

Antecedent Interventions
Manipulating the environment prior to the behavior. Based on Stimulus Control (SDs) and Motivating Operations (MOs).

02:33

Noncontingent Reinforcement (NCR)
Giving "Free Reinforcement" on a time schedule. This acts as an Abolishing Operation (AO) because the client is already satisfied.

04:32

High-P Request Sequence
Also called "Behavioral Momentum." Asking for 3 easy things before asking for 1 hard thing. (Easy... Easy... Easy... Hard).

05:52

Functional Communication Training (FCT)
Teaching the client to ask for what they want (Communication) instead of acting out. It replaces the problem behavior.

🔑 Key Insights

Prevention is Key: These strategies change the environment so the behavior is no longer necessary.

NCR = Satiation: If a child screams for attention, giving them attention every 5 minutes (for free) makes them "full" of attention. They don't need to scream.

High-P = Momentum: Just like a rolling ball is hard to stop, a compliant child is likely to stay compliant.

FCT = Replacement: You can't just stop a behavior; you must give them a new way to communicate that need.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why give reinforcement for free (NCR)?

A: To break the link between the problem behavior and the reward. If they get it for free, they stop fighting for it.

Q: What acts as an antecedent intervention for "Not knowing what to do"?

A: Visual Schedules. Providing a picture schedule before the day starts prevents anxiety and confusion behaviors.

1. The Prevention Toolkit

Here are the three main tools you need to know for the exam.

2. Functional Communication Training (FCT)

Definition: Teaching a specific, appropriate communication response (e.g., asking for a break) to replace a problem behavior (e.g., flipping the table) that serves the same function.

Example

Problem: Child screams when hungry.
Function: Access to Tangible (Food).
Intervention (FCT): Teach child to sign "Eat."
Result: Screaming goes on extinction; Signing gets reinforced.

📝 Knowledge Check

Which strategy is it?

Q1: You ask a student to "Touch nose," "Clap hands," and "High five" (all easy) before asking them to "Read this paragraph" (hard). What is this?

Answer: High-Probability Request Sequence (High-P).
You built behavioral momentum with the easy tasks first.

Q2: A child seeks attention by hitting. You decide to set a timer and give the child a hug every 10 minutes regardless of what they are doing. What is this?

Answer: Noncontingent Reinforcement (NCR).
You are giving the reinforcer freely on a time schedule to reduce the motivation to hit.

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