Planned Ignoring
What is it?
Eliminating attention, reaction, item in response to an inappropriate behaviour (remove reinforcement)
The behavioural term for this is extinction
Ignore the behaviour NOT the child
Should ONLY be done with minor, non-dangerous behaviours (e.g., non-destructive & non-aggressive behaviour)
Teaches the child the inappropriate behaviour is not going to gain access to what they are trying to “get” (an item, attention, removal of something)
Always consider the function of the behaviour (why is it happening-to access attention, an item, to escape/avoid an aversive situation)
Should always be paired with reinforcement strategies for appropriate behaviour
Examples
Your child always screams for a cookie instead of asking nicely - you decide you will look away and continue with what you are doing when he screams, but will respond when he asks nicely
Your child cries and calls your name every time you are on the phone - you decide you will continue to talk to the other person on the phone and not respond to the attempts to get your attention
Your child flops to the ground when he can’t have his iPad - you decide that every time he does this you will walk away and not provide the iPad