If the student is engaging in problem behavior to obtain something immediately, which skill should you teach him to help reduce the problem behavior?

In this scenario, teaching the student to wait appropriately is essential because it addresses the core issue of immediate reinforcement that the problem behavior provides. When a student engages in problem behavior to obtain something right away, they may not have developed the patience to wait for that desired item or outcome. By teaching the child how to wait appropriately, you’re helping them learn an important skill that allows them to manage their impulses and understand that reinforcement can be delayed.

This skill can shift their focus from seeking immediate satisfaction through problem behavior to practicing patience, thereby reducing the frequency of the behavior. This approach not only teaches self-regulation but can also be applied in various situations outside of the specific instance, promoting long-term behavioral changes.

In contrast, while other choices may seem relevant, they do not directly address the goal of modifying the immediate reinforcement the student seeks through problem behavior. Requesting appropriately could help, but if the underlying issue is impulsivity for immediate gratification, teaching waiting is more directly related to modifying that behavior. Expressing frustration effectively might help the student communicate their needs but doesn't change their behavior towards waiting. Ignoring distractions is less relevant because the problem behavior is focused on obtaining something immediately rather than being distracted.