Example: Applied Behavior Analysis and Employment
There are many positions at Wellness World Fitness Center. These include Operations Staff, Sales Staff, Personal Training Staff, and Club Management. All employees receive specific training for their position. They also receive general training in safety, security, and other policies and procedures. This year, a staff-wide wellness support program has also been put in place. Staff members are encouraged to use the fitness equipment or take a fitness class before or after they work. Staff members who use the Center outside of their work hours at least four times per month are entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card. The staff members are asked what benefits they see from the wellness support program. They report that they feel better and get better sleep. Members of the Fitness Center also The members report they like seeing staff using the facilities because it “sets a good example.” The Center’s Director observed that reports from each department manager are being submitted on time as well.
The following principles of ABA are represented in the example:
- Antecedent Intervention. Modifying the work schedule to match bus schedule.
- Non-contingent Reinforcement. Verbal praise for on-task behavior.
- Positive Reinforcement. Additional reward for participating in wellness program.
Together, Logan, his job coach, and the manager come up with a plan to support Logan while he is at work. At the beginning of each shift, Logan receives a list of tasks to complete. Logan learns to cross each completed task off the list when he is finished. Logan’s job coach now visits him twice weekly and provides direct instruction so Logan can learn new procedures and how to operate the new floor-cleaning machine. Logan’s manager tracks Logan’s off-task behavior and observes that his off-task behavior is decreasing from three times per hour per shift, to one to two times during an eight-hour shift.
The following principles of ABA are represented in the example:
- Teaching Alternative Behaviors. Greeting, requesting information about daily schedule, requesting preferred activities.
- Antecedent Intervention. Giving instruction for new skills, ongoing support from job coach.
- Non-contingent Reinforcement. Verbal praise for on-task behavior.