When your client engages in aggression after you place a demand, which element is missing from the behavior intervention plan that includes DRA?

In the context of a behavior intervention plan (BIP) that includes Differential Reinforcement of Alternative behaviors (DRA), the absence of a description of an extinction procedure is significant when a client engages in aggression after a demand is placed. DRA works by reinforcing an alternative behavior that serves the same function as the undesired behavior, essentially providing the client with a more appropriate means of meeting their needs.

If aggressive behavior is being reinforced in response to a demand (such as through escape from the task), a clear extinction procedure is crucial to help diminish the effectiveness of that aggression. Without it, the client may not learn that aggression is no longer an effective way to achieve their desired outcome. Incorporating an extinction procedure means explicitly stating how the intervention team will refrain from reinforcing the aggressive behavior, allowing for improvement and helping to reduce instances of aggression in response to demands.

Such a plan would typically outline how to deny the reinforcing consequence (like escape from the task) after aggressive behavior occurs, thus supporting the DRA by promoting the alternative behavior that should be reinforced instead. This addition would provide a comprehensive strategy to manage the challenging behavior effectively.