RBT · Behavior Reduction · 6 min read
Extinction Burst and Other Side Effects
- Identify common side effects of extinction, including extinction bursts, novel behaviors, emotional responses, and spontaneous recovery.
- Explain how to maintain procedural fidelity and implement written replacement behavior procedures when extinction side effects occur.
- Describe the Registered Behavior Technician's role in following safety protocols, collecting objective data, and communicating with the supervising BCBA or BCaBA.
Understanding Extinction and Common Side Effects
In behavior analysis, extinction means that a behavior no longer produces the reinforcer that previously maintained it. If the written plan includes extinction, the RBT follows its instructions so the target behavior no longer produces its maintaining reinforcer, while still following safety steps and reinforcing replacement behavior as directed. Extinction may produce temporary side effects before the behavior decreases, but these side effects do not occur in every case. Side effects of extinction can occur even when the procedure is implemented with high procedural fidelity.
Procedural fidelity means carrying out the written behavior plan as specified, including its safety steps. Technicians should understand that the emergence of temporary challenges does not mean an intervention is being implemented incorrectly. Common side effects of extinction include extinction bursts, novel behaviors, emotional responses, and spontaneous recovery. An RBT implements the behavior intervention plan as written while remaining alert to these possible behavioral changes.
A behavior plan may pair extinction with teaching and reinforcing a replacement behavior, and the RBT implements those steps as written. When an extinction procedure is part of a written plan, the technician follows the plan's instructions for teaching and reinforcing replacement behaviors and asks the supervisor if those instructions are unclear. Recognizing common side effects allows technicians to stay calm, maintain the plan, and keep clients safe.
| Side Effect | Definition and Description | What the RBT Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| Extinction Burst | A temporary increase in the frequency, duration, or intensity of the target behavior early in extinction. | Follow the written plan if safe, collect objective data, and do not provide the reinforcer in response to the target behavior; reinforce appropriate replacement behavior as the plan directs. |
| Extinction-Induced Variability | The appearance of novel or varied response forms when reinforcement is withheld, including different topographies in the same response class. | Collect data on new response forms as directed by the plan; objectively report unexpected forms to the supervisor. |
| Emotional Responses and Aggression | Responses such as crying, yelling, or extinction-induced aggression that emerge or increase after extinction begins. | Record observable actions without assuming causes; prioritize safety and follow written crisis protocols if dangerous. |
| Spontaneous Recovery | The reappearance of an extinguished behavior after a period of time during which the behavior was absent. | Follow the written plan, document the returning behavior, and do not provide the reinforcer in response to that behavior; continue any planned reinforcement of replacement behavior. |
Common mistakes
- Assuming an extinction burst or spontaneous recovery means the behavior plan has failed or is ineffective, rather than recognizing them as common side effects.
- Providing the maintaining reinforcer during an extinction burst or spontaneous recovery, which can reinforce higher-intensity behaviors or strengthen the behavior again.
- Writing subjective notes such as 'client was angry' instead of objective descriptions of observable actions such as 'client struck staff with an open palm twice.'
- Independently altering the behavior intervention plan during an intense extinction burst instead of following written safety protocols and contacting the supervisor.
Key points
- Extinction means that a behavior no longer produces the reinforcer that previously maintained it, which may lead to temporary side effects.
- Common side effects include extinction bursts, extinction-induced variability, emotional responses, and spontaneous recovery, though they do not occur in every case.
- Providing the maintaining reinforcer after higher-intensity behavior or when behavior spontaneously recovers can strengthen that behavior and make it more likely in the future.
- If severe aggression or self-injury occurs, safety is the immediate priority, and the RBT must follow authorized crisis and safety protocols outlined in the plan.
- All documentation must describe observable actions without subjective interpretations, and required incident reports must be completed following organizational requirements.
- An RBT never changes a plan independently; instead, the RBT maintains procedural fidelity, follows replacement behavior instructions, and communicates promptly with the supervising BCBA or BCaBA.
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