In my years as an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) professional, I’ve met countless families who express concerns about using edible reinforcers during therapy sessions. Many say, “I don’t want you to use edibles!”
This concern makes perfect sense. As parents, you strive to do what’s best for your child, and the idea of using food as a motivator might feel unnecessary or even unhealthy. However, ABA practitioners don’t turn to edibles out of preference or convenience. We use what works best to motivate your child to learn challenging skills—and sometimes, that happens to be an edible reinforcer.
Let’s break this down and address common concerns surrounding edible reinforcers.
What Is a Reinforcer?
A reinforcer is anything that increases the likelihood of a behavior happening again when provided after that behavior. Reinforcers can take many forms, from favorite toys and high-fives to extra screen time—or yes, even a small piece of candy.
If an edible effectively motivates your child to engage in desired behaviors or learn challenging skills, it serves a valuable purpose. Of course, reinforcers must always be contingent, meaning your child receives them only after performing the target behavior.
Here’s an example:
- A child learning to hold a pencil correctly might earn half an M&M for doing so.
- When they progress to writing their full name, they could earn three M&Ms.
ABA practitioners carefully monitor the type, amount, and frequency of edible reinforcers to ensure they remain appropriate and effective.
Why Use Edibles as Reinforcers?
Here’s the key: we use what works for your child. ABA therapy is all about individualized treatment. Some children are motivated by praise, others by toys, and some respond best to edibles.
Using edibles doesn’t mean your child will rely on them forever. The goal is always to transfer motivation to natural reinforcers in the environment. For instance:
- When teaching a child to hold a door open for someone, we may start by providing an edible after the behavior.
- Over time, the ultimate reinforcer becomes the other person saying, “Thank you,” which naturally encourages the child to continue the behavior.
This process ensures that the behaviors we teach in therapy become functional, lifelong skills.
Addressing Health Concerns
If your child has health issues like diabetes or dietary restrictions, edibles are, of course, not an appropriate option. The health and safety of your child is always the top priority.
However, if health is not a concern and edibles are identified as a highly preferred item for your child, we encourage families to give it a try—always based on data.
The Role of Data in ABA Therapy
ABA is a data-driven science. Before deciding to use edible reinforcers, your BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) will identify whether they are effective for your child. This is done through careful observation and data collection to ensure that the edible:
- Is highly preferred by your child.
- Increases or maintains the desired behavior.
If the data shows that edibles aren’t working as reinforcers, we pivot to explore other options. Similarly, if a behavior is successfully learned, we begin phasing out edible reinforcers and replacing them with natural motivators.
Edibles Aren’t Forever
It’s important to emphasize that edible reinforcers are not a permanent part of your child’s life. They are a short-term strategy used to teach new skills or behaviors, especially those that are particularly challenging. As your child progresses, they’ll transition away from edibles toward intrinsic or naturally occurring reinforcers like praise, social interactions, or personal accomplishment.
Final Thoughts
I understand your concerns about edible reinforcers. Their use is never taken lightly. They represent one tool among many, and their effectiveness is always evaluated based on your child’s individual needs.
If your BCBA suggests using edibles, ask to see the data and ensure they’re making a meaningful difference in your child’s progress. By keeping an open mind and trusting evidence-based practices, you can support your child in developing essential life skills.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re interested in ABA services or want to discuss reinforcement strategies that best suit your child, contact us today! Let’s work together to create a plan tailored to your family’s needs.
