Incompatible Behaviors to Redirect Challenging Behaviors

Incompatible behaviors are alternative behaviors that can’t happen at the same time as challenging behaviors. In other words, incompatible behaviors compete with challenging behaviors. For example, a child can’t hit others if they are using their hands to play with/manipulate play doh.

Reinforcing incompatible behaviors is a strategy used to decrease challenging behaviors– this is where reinforcement is given for incompatible behaviors and withheld for challenging behaviors. This strategy is called Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behaviors (DRI.) 

Incompatible behaviors are two behaviors that can’t happen at the same time. Using DRI helps bring the focus on the positive and more desirable behaviors rather than focusing on behaviors that are challenging.

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