A Positive Way to Improve Family Dynamics (APFCON 2023) | BCBA CEU | Learning | 1 Hour

The speakers present on behavior contracting (also called contingency contracting or “just contracting”) and describe it as a behavior change strategy that identifies a task to be completed and a reward to follow successful accomplishment of the task.

They note contracting was first developed in the 1970s, has a long basis of peer-reviewed support, and is described in a Behavior Analysis and Practice article as “one of the greatest hits” of behavior technology that is “robustly effective” across individuals and situations.

They explain that they will cover key components of effective contracts and show examples of contracts families developed for household responsibilities, learning new skills, “laying nicely with the family pets,” and getting ready for school in the morning. They describe several formats, including parent–child contracts, contracts made with a child “him or herself,” picture contracts (tasks and rewards do not have to be in words), and home–school contracts involving collaboration among a parent, a behavior analyst, and a teacher.

Instead of a step-by-step technique approach, they use storytelling to teach behavior contracting in the home, noting stories engage listeners and translate complex ideas into practical real-life examples.

They close with resources, including downloadable contracting forms on their website in multiple languages and note contracting is not a “miracle” solution for every family challenge, but an evidence-based tool many families have found effective.