What Is the Function of the Behavior and Why Punishment Isn't the Answer

When a child is showing challenging behaviors at home and school, your immediate instinct might be to respond with punishment. However, without understanding what is the function of the behavior, punishment often fails to produce long-term change. In the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), identifying the function of behavior is essential for teaching appropriate alternatives and fostering positive development.

What Is the Function of the Behavior?

Every behavior serves a purpose. In ABA, the four recognized functions are:

Escape: Avoiding something undesirable (e.g., a task or environment).

Attention: Seeking interaction or acknowledgment.

Access to Tangibles: Obtaining a desired item or activity.

Sensory (Automatic): Self-soothing or sensory stimulation.

Without recognizing the function, interventions can miss the mark. For instance, punishing a child for running away during homework time by sending them to time out, might reinforce the behavior because now they are in time out and not doing the homework. Instead, we should teach them to ask for a break or a snack or help with their homework. This will ensure they are successful and then can be rewarded with down time when it’s finished.

Why Punishment Isn't the Answer

Punishment may stop a behavior momentarily, but it often fails for several reasons:

• Does not teach new skills: Punishment suppresses, but reinforcement builds.

• Can increase fear and anxiety: Leading to more challenging behaviors.

• May unintentionally reinforce the behavior: For example, scolding a child seeking attention may give them the attention they crave.

The ABA Approach: Function-Based Interventions

ABA focuses on identifying behavior functions to implement effective interventions:

• Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding desired behaviors.

• Teaching Replacement Behaviors: Providing alternatives that fulfill the same function.

• Skill Development: Building communication, coping, and self-regulation skills.

A Real-World Example

Consider a child who throws toys to gain attention. Punishment might stop the throwing momentarily but teaching the child to say, “Look at me!” meets the same need more appropriately and is reinforced positively, which can then lead to a decrease in the negative behavior (throwing).

How Nova Supports Can Help

At Nova Supports, we prioritize understanding each child’s unique needs and behavior functions. Our ABA services aim to replace punishment with evidence-based strategies that promote lasting growth.

Learn more about how we can help by visiting Nova Supports or contacting us directly for a consultation.