Sample Desensitization Program

Targeted Behavior: Tolerating a face covering

Behavioral Definition: Tolerating a face covering is defined as wearing a face covering when either verbally or visually instructed to do so for a designated time period in the absence of verbal or physical protests.

Sample Teaching Steps: 1) Learner will sit or stand appropriately in the presence of a face covering that is in view up to 3 feet away from the learner. 2) Learner will sit or stand appropriately in the presence of the instructor touching a face mask that is in view up to 3 feet away from the learner. 3) Learner will sit or stand appropriately while instructor picks up face covering that is up to 3 feet away. 4) Learner will sit or stand appropriately while instructor places face covering on their own face and stands up to 3 feet from learner. 5) Learner will sit or stand appropriately and comply with direction when instructed to touch the face covering for a designated time interval (e.g., 1-10 seconds). 6) Learner will sit or stand appropriately and comply with direction when instructed to hold face covering for a designated time interval. 7) Learner will sit or stand appropriately and comply with direction when instructed to hold face covering over their nose and mouth (without fastening elastic) for a designated time interval. 8) Learner will sit or stand appropriately and comply with direction to place face covering over their nose and mouth and fasten elastic. 9) Learner will sit or stand appropriately while wearing a face covering for increased time intervals in the presence of instructor. 10) Learner will sit or stand appropriately while wearing a face covering for increased time intervals 11) Learner will sit or stand appropriately while wearing a face covering for increased time intervals in novel settings. 12) Learner will sit or stand appropriately while wearing a face covering for increased time intervals, in novel settings and in the presence of novel instructors.

Sample Teaching Protocol:

Reminder: Prior to beginning any teaching interaction decisions about what the correct response will look like, error correction, prompting strategy and reinforcement should have already been decided and planned for.  Baseline data will help in determining the starting point for the targeted desensitization teaching step.  Materials needed should also be readily available.  Seat or stand the learner facing you and  establish necessary attending.  Present the instruction, “Put on your face covering.”  If the student performs the action according to the predetermined teaching step in the behavioral definition and within the specified time frame, provide reinforcement and score the teaching trial as correct.  If the student does not respond or responds incorrectly, provide error correction and repeat the trial.  Score the trial as incorrect.  

Desensitization is a gradual process that requires planning and modification when needed.  The goal in any desensitization program is to challenge the learner only slightly above their comfort zone while providing support and reinforcement.  If done consistently and correctly desensitization can be  an invaluable tool for learners with sensory restrictions, fears or phobias.

Definitions:

Error Correction: the predetermined method for  showing the learner the correct response e.g., hand over hand physical prompt, visual model, verbal direction, etc.

Prompting Strategy: assistance typically paired with the instruction to prevent an error.

Reinforcement: a preferred statement, action or tangible provided contingent upon a correct response.

Baseline Data: information gathered prior to teaching to determine starting point of learning.

Attending Behavior: eye contact, physical orientation, sitting or standing behavior that is conducive to learning.

Behavioral Definition: the definition of what a response should look like.  This definition should be thorough and specific to help maintain consistency across teaching interactions.  A behavioral definition should include details about what the correct response physically looks like, the duration of a correct response, time allotted for response to occur once instruction is given, and which behaviors can or cannot accompany a correct response (e.g., whining or crying while wearing a face covering)

Specified Time Frame: The time allotted for the response to occur after instruction is presented (e.g., 2 seconds, 4 seconds, etc.)

Correct Trial: A response that is independent according to the behavioral definition

Incorrect Trial: A response that is not consistent with the behavioral definition, a delayed response or no response.