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Used specifically in the treatment of arousal, reactivity, and aggression, Functional Rewards use the function of the behavior we DO NOT want as the reward for the alternate behavior we DO want, e.g. gaining distance from a trigger as a reward for engagement rather than reactivity. There are four lawful functions of behavior: (1) access to tangibles, (2) sensory stimulation, (3) attention, or (4) to escape/delay/avoid something unpleasant. Understanding the function of the behavior in question is a skill. That said, functional Rewards can work against us, too, as we practice. Our job is to be cognizant of environmental factors and either utilize Functional Rewards as part of our work, or recognize them as problems and change tactics.
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