Expanding Reinforcers: Engagement and Effectiveness | RBT PDU | 0.5 Hour 

This presentation reviews reinforcement and explains why RBTs should help learners develop broader repertoires of effective reinforcers. It distinguishes positive and negative reinforcement, unconditioned and conditioned reinforcers, and generalized conditioned reinforcers. The speaker emphasizes that selecting a preferred item does not by itself establish that it functions as reinforcement; the relevant evidence is an increase in responding following a consequence. Preference assessments, including paired-stimulus, multiple-stimulus, and free-operant methods, are discussed alongside ongoing observation of learner behavior. Expanding reinforcers may reduce overreliance on a few items, lessen problems associated with satiation, create more opportunities for communication and play, and support flexibility and generalization. Suggested approaches include pairing new items with existing reinforcers, modeling enjoyment, building rapport, offering intentional exposure, and engaging creatively in social play while attending to the learner’s reactions. A video illustrates how an interventionist makes previously neutral cones engaging by linking them to a child’s interests and trying varied play routines. The presentation closes with recommendations for supervisor modeling, feedback, reflection, and ongoing observation when assessing reinforcer effectiveness.