Avoiding Negative Reinforcement: Tips for Parents of Kids on the Autism Spectrum

By Mark Hutten, M.A.
Negative reinforcement requires the youngster to work for the removal of an in-place, unpleasant consequence. The child's goal is to get rid of something that is unpleasant rather than to earn something that is desirable. In a negative reinforcement model, instead of working to earn a positive consequence, the youngster works to distance herself from an aversive consequence. 

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