What type of interventions focus on events before problem behavior occurs?

Antecedent interventions are specifically designed to address events that occur before a problem behavior manifests. This type of intervention aims to modify or eliminate triggers that lead to undesirable behaviors by changing the environment or the conditions surrounding the individual.

By focusing on the antecedents, practitioners can prevent the occurrence of problem behaviors rather than only responding to them after they happen. For example, antecedent interventions might include providing clear instructions, altering the environment to reduce distractions, or teaching coping skills that help the individual handle situations more effectively.

In contrast, behavioral modifications typically encompass a broader range of strategies that might involve both antecedent and consequent approaches. Consequent interventions focus on the events that follow a behavior to increase or decrease its occurrence. Reinforcement strategies are specifically about the consequences that increase a behavior’s frequency by providing positive feedback or rewards. These strategies do not target the precursors to the behavior, which is the hallmark of antecedent interventions.