Getting Ahead of the Behaviour: How Antecedent Strategies Can Help Your Child Thrive

As parents, teachers, and caregivers of children with autism, behavioural challenges, or ADHD, we often find ourselves responding to behaviour after it happens. While learning how to respond effectively is important, what if we could reduce or even prevent many challenging behaviours before they occur?

This is where antecedent strategies come in, and they are some of the most powerful tools we can use to support our children proactively and compassionately.

What Are Antecedent Strategies?

In Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), the word “antecedent” refers to what happens before a behaviour - the environment, the instructions, the mood, the noise level, and even the time of day. Antecedent strategies are intentional changes we make to the environment or how we present tasks to increase the likelihood of positive behaviour and decrease the likelihood of problem behaviour.

Rather than waiting for a meltdown or refusal to complete a task, antecedent interventions help create a setting where success is more likely and challenges are less likely to occur. These strategies are preventative, practical, and can be used by anyone - parents, teachers, support staff, or caregivers.

Why Are Antecedent Strategies So Important?

Antecedent strategies empower adults to:

• Reduce triggers that may lead to problem behaviour

• Help children feel more prepared and supported

• Increase engagement and cooperation

• Create predictable and calm routines

• Promote independence and confidence

By modifying how we approach tasks and interact with the environment, we can set children up for success before any issues arise.

Evidence-Based Antecedent Interventions

Several powerful antecedent strategies are discussed in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Here are some key ones, along with additional practical supports that we often recommend.

1. Noncontingent Reinforcement (NCR)

This involves providing access to attention, sensory items, or preferred activities on a regular schedule, not tied to specific behaviours. It helps reduce problem behaviour by meeting the child’s needs before they feel the urge to seek it in inappropriate ways.

2. The Premack Principle ("Grandma’s Rule")

This strategy involves using a highly preferred activity as a reward for completing a less preferred one. For example: “First clean up, then iPad time.” It helps motivate the child by connecting a task to something they enjoy.

3. Behavioural Momentum (High-Probability Request Sequence)

Start with 2–3 easy requests your child is likely to follow (e.g., “Give me a high five,” “Touch your head,” "Clap your hands") and then follow with a more difficult task. The momentum of success can make the more challenging request feel easier.

Other Practical Antecedent Strategies for Home and School

Many small changes can have a big impact, such as:

• Positive Reinforcement: Always be ready to praise and reward effort, not just perfection

• Visual Schedules: Help children know what’s coming next and reduce anxiety about transitions

• Noncontingent Breaks: Providing short, frequent breaks throughout the day, even before a child asks for them

• Task Modification: Shorten the task, reduce the number of steps, or allow for completion in parts

• Demand Fading: Gradually increase demands over time rather than all at once

• Offering Choices: “Do you want to use the red pencil or the blue one?” Choice increases motivation and autonomy

• Decluttering and Quiet Workspace: Remove unnecessary materials that can distract and provide a quiet work area

• Simple Language: Use clear, concise instructions that match the child’s comprehension level

• Previewing Tasks (Priming): Briefly show or describe what will happen to make it feel more predictable

• Task Analysis: Break larger tasks into small, manageable steps for easier success

• Prioritize Tasks: Present the most important or manageable tasks first to reduce overwhelm and increase the likelihood of success, especially when attention or motivation is limited.

• Highlight Strengths and Provide Specific Suggestions for Improvement: Acknowledge what the child is doing well and follow it with clear, constructive feedback to support growth without discouragement.

• Employ Proximity Control: Stay physically close to the child during tasks or transitions to provide subtle support, reduce problem behaviour, and increase engagement without using verbal prompts.

• Noncontingent Attention: Provide regular attention and praise for just “being there”, not just task completion

• Sensory Tools: Fidgets, spinners, and squeeze balls can help regulate attention and reduce sensory overload

• Multimodal Instructions: Present instructions using visual, verbal, and/or textual formats to enhance understanding

• Modelling: Demonstrate what the task looks like before expecting the child to do it

• Visual Reminders or Prompts: Arrows, icons, or checklists that help guide tasks step by step

• Clear Expectations: Letting the child know what’s expected ahead of time reduces uncertainty

• Repeating Instructions: Encourage the child to repeat instructions to confirm comprehension and reinforce retention

• Consistent Routines: Predictability creates a sense of safety and increases cooperation

• Opportunities for Social Interaction: Create safe, supported ways for children to connect with peers or adults

  
  

How Can Families Use These Strategies Effectively?

Start small. Choose one or two strategies that feel doable in your daily routine. You might begin by using a visual schedule during the morning routine or by giving choices during homework. The goal is not to do everything at once, but to build a toolkit that works for your child, your home, and your goals.

It’s also important to stay consistent. Children thrive on predictability. Using antecedent strategies consistently helps reinforce patterns of success and cooperation.

At Nova, we view antecedent strategies as acts of support, not control. They allow us to create learning environments that are proactive, respectful, and built on trust. Instead of waiting for a child to struggle, we prepare them for success.

Whether you’re a parent at home, a teacher in a classroom, or a support worker in the community, these strategies equip you with practical tools to reduce challenging behaviours before they arise and to help children feel more capable, calm, and connected.