Reinforcement Preference Assessment
Identify what motivates your child or client across 8 categories. Generate a ranked reinforcement inventory you can share with therapists, teachers, and caregivers. Free and private.
How It Works
Rate each item on a scale of 1 to 5 based on how much the person enjoys or is motivated by it. Skip items that do not apply. When done, click "Generate Results" to see a ranked reinforcement inventory.
This assessment is informational and does not replace a formal preference assessment conducted by a BCBA. All data stays in your browser.
Reinforcement Inventory
Use Reinforcement Effectively
Understanding reinforcement is foundational to ABA. Share this inventory with your child's therapy team or learn more about how to use reinforcement at home.
Understanding Reinforcement in ABA
What Is Reinforcement?
Reinforcement is the core principle of Applied Behavior Analysis. When a behavior is followed by something the person values, that behavior is more likely to happen again. Positive reinforcement (adding something pleasant) and negative reinforcement (removing something unpleasant) both increase behavior. The key is knowing what each individual finds reinforcing.
Why Preference Assessments Matter
What motivates one child may have no effect on another. A child who loves bubbles may not care about stickers. A teenager motivated by screen time may not respond to verbal praise alone. Preference assessments systematically identify what works for each person, making therapy, education, and parenting more effective.
Tips for Using Reinforcement at Home
- Deliver immediately: Reinforcement works best when it follows the behavior within 1-3 seconds
- Be specific: Instead of "good job," say "great job putting your shoes on by yourself"
- Vary your reinforcers: Using the same reinforcer repeatedly leads to satiation (it stops working). Rotate through your child's top preferences
- Pair social praise with tangible reinforcers: Eventually, praise alone may be enough
- Reassess regularly: Preferences change. Update this assessment every 1-3 months
Formal vs. Informal Preference Assessments
This tool is an informal preference survey suitable for parents, educators, and caregivers. Formal preference assessments used in ABA therapy include paired stimulus (Fisher et al., 1992), multiple stimulus without replacement (DeLeon and Iwata, 1996), and free operant observation. Your BCBA can conduct these formal assessments as part of your child's treatment plan.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A structured way to identify what items, activities, and interactions a person finds motivating. In ABA, effective reinforcement is the primary tool for teaching new skills.
Every 1-3 months, or whenever a previously effective reinforcer stops working. Preferences change, especially in children. Informal checks should happen at the start of every therapy session.
A reinforcer is delivered after a desired behavior. A bribe is offered before or during refusal. Reinforcement is planned and consistent. Bribery is reactive and teaches that refusal leads to negotiation.
Yes. This informal survey helps parents identify what their child enjoys. Share the results with your child's BCBA, RBT, teachers, and caregivers so everyone uses the same reinforcement strategies.