Response Interruption and Redirection (RIRD)
Response interruption and redirection (RIRD) is an intervention used to reduce behaviors that are repetitive and stereotypical and that interfere with a person’s daily life. Find examples from literature here.
Intervention type
There are two components that make up RIRD, response interruption and redirection. Sometimes other components might be used such as a token economy or prompting. In response interruption, an effort is taken to prevent the behavior from occurring. For example, a teacher might block a person’s attempt to scrape their skin. Redirection follows blocking and involves prompting the person to engage in an alternative behavior.
Behavioral mechanism(s)
RIRD is effective due to one or more of the following mechanisms: (a) punishment; (b) differential reinforcement. First, response interruption likely decreases the occurrence of the target behavior because the blocking of the attempt serves as punishment. Second, an alternative response is differentially reinforced through the redirection component.
Severity and behavioral function considerations
When challenging behavior poses minimal risk, RIRD can safely be implemented. If the target behavior results in tissue damage, then protective equipment may be necessary to minimize risk of further injury. If an individual engages in other forms of target behavior not targeted through RIRD, those behaviors may increase when the target response is blocked, and so it may be important to intervene on those behaviors prior to implementing RIRD.
Because RIRD generally is used for behavior that is automatically reinforced and considered stereotypical, the “reason” the behavior is occurring should be considered prior to use of this intervention. For example, if a stereotypical behavior is not dangerous and may serve as a means of coping with environmental events (e.g., rocking or covering ears in response to loud noises), then intervention may not be justified. In fact, unless the targeted behavior is dangerous or causing significant disruption of learning, then use of RIRD likely is not warranted.
Caregiver, context and practical considerations
