Behavior Modification Programs

There are many different types of behavior modification that’s available for teenagers that can assist them in removing behavior that is inappropriate or undesired and replacing it with a new behavior that is better suited for them. The idea here is to change and adjust behavior with a teen or child so that the undesirable behavior is isolated and and then eventually extinguished. This observation of the behavior can create new awareness for parents and teachers regarding the teen and their behavior and it can also help the teen see how things need to change.

In some cases behavior modification is preformed in addition to cognitive therapy and medication and is designed to treat disorders such as ADD and ADHD but it’s also used to help with eating disorders, substance abuse, anxiety disorders and other similar conditions.

Behavior modification is used based on the ideas of warning signs that come prior to the undesirable behavior and consequences come after and this along with positive and negative reinforcement can help to affect change within the realm of the teenagers behavior. There are also other reinforcers called punishment and extinction. These reinforcers are applied throughout the process of changing behaviors over and in many different ways to ensure the repeated understanding of the effect the reinforcer is meant to have. This has to happen in a variety of situations and circumstances in order for the learned behavior that is desirable to become a permanent habit after the observed reinforces have been used several times.

Positive reinforcers like praise, encouragement, or being given a privilege (such as having a treat, getting to play a game or watch a movie a bit longer, or being exempt from a certain chore) can do wonders in reinforcing good behavior and deterring bad behavior. Negative reinforcers such as ignoring yelling or screaming, revoking rights to certain privileges, taking away phones, ipods or car keys can also do a great deal to keep away bad behavior.

It’s important to follow through with reinforcers every single time because without the teenager will continue to behave however the feel is necessary to get the desired reaction they want. The key here is consistency and being firm with the rules and consequences of bad behavior as well as staying positive and rewarding good behavior as much as possible. The longer these reinforcers are use the better the lessons will be ingrained in such a way that they become second nature to your teenager who will learn to rely on good behavior as a rule rather than an exception.

Modifying the behavior of parents and teachers while your teenager is going through their own changes is also very helpful. If teens see the same consequences or the same rewards showing up through their life in a variety of different situations then they’ll learn to apply those good behaviors to every aspect of their life and they’ll trust the examples of their parents and their teachers as good ways to follow and learn from.