BEHAVIUOR MODIFICATION

Behavior modification (BM) is a treatment approach, based on the principles of operant conditioning, that can be used to increase desired behaviors and replaces undesirable behaviors with more desirable ones through positive or negative reinforcement.Behavior modification techniques should be applied consistently across all areas of the children’s life.

Behavior is observable and measurable (i.e., any action that can be seen or heard). An effective method of examining behavior is the ABC model:

A (Antecedent)	B(Behavior)	C(Consequence)
The event occurring before a behavior (the event prompts a certain behavior)	Response to the events that can be seen or heard	The event that follows the behavior, which effects whether the behavior will occur again

Behavior modification is used to treat a variety of problems in children. Behavior modification has been successfully used to treat Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), phobias, generalized anxiety disorder , and separation anxiety disorder etc.

Behavior modification technique that is widely used is positive reinforcement, which encourages certain behaviors through a system of rewards.

Another behavior modification technique is Negative Reinforcement, Extinction, shaping, chaining and fading.