If your child tends to act out just to get your attention, you’re not alone. Maybe they interrupt conversations, throw things when you’re on the phone, or yell from another room until you respond. It’s frustrating, and it can feel like you’re constantly walking on eggshells trying to avoid a meltdown. 

What if we told you that one helpful strategy is actually giving your child attention before they do something to get it, even if they haven’t “earned” it? 

That’s the idea behind something we use in ABA called Noncontingent Reinforcement, or NCR. 

What Is Noncontingent Reinforcement (NCR)? 

In simple terms, NCR means giving your child something they want, like attention, a snack, or a preferred activity. And this is done on a regular schedule, not based on their behavior. 

Usually, reinforcement is used after a behavior we want to see more of. For example: 

“You cleaned up your toys, so now you can watch a show.” 

That’s contingent reinforcement. The reward depends on the behavior. 

But with noncontingent reinforcement, we flip that around a bit. 

Let’s say your child yells every time you get on the phone because they want your attention. Instead of waiting for the yelling (and then trying to manage it), you could give them a few minutes of positive attention before you make your call. You might say: 

“Hey, I’m going to be on the phone soon, but first I wanted to spend a few minutes with just you. Want to build with blocks or snuggle on the couch?” 

That’s NCR in action. 

Why Would I Reinforce Without a Behavior? 

At first, it might feel strange. You might wonder: 

“Am I just rewarding bad behavior?” 

Not at all. You’re actually reducing the need for the behavior to happen in the first place.  You are decreasing the likelihood that the behavior will happen because you have satisfied the need without the behavior even having to happen. 

Think of it like this: 
If your child is getting attention regularly, they’re less likely to feel like they have to yell, throw, or interrupt to get it. 

NCR works by lowering the motivation to engage in problem behavior. If the reinforcer (like your attention) is already available, there’s less reason to act out to get it. 

Real-Life Examples for Parents 

Here are a few everyday ways you might already be using NCR without realizing it, or how you can start: 

• Preventing meltdowns before errands: Give your child five minutes of focused attention and a preferred toy before leaving the house, rather than waiting until they start protesting. 

• Reducing sibling rivalry: If one child often misbehaves to get your attention when you’re focused on a sibling, try giving that child scheduled one-on-one time throughout the day, whether they “ask” for it or not. 

• Helping with homework struggles: If your child acts out during homework, try giving praise, a snack, or a short fun break before starting. That positive interaction can help reduce tension and improve cooperation. 

Things to Keep in Mind 

• It’s about consistency, not bribery. NCR is scheduled and predictable. It’s not given in response to problem behavior.  In fact, it works before things escalate and squashes the need for problem behavior to occur. 

• The reinforcer needs to be something your child really wants: attention, physical closeness, a toy, a snack, or even sensory input like jumping or swinging. 

• Over time, we can space it out. As the challenging behavior decreases, we gradually increase the time between reinforcers to build more independence. 

You’re Not “Spoiling” Your Child. You’re Setting Them Up for Success. 

Sometimes giving your child what they need before they ask (or scream) for it is the most powerful thing you can do. 

It doesn’t mean ignoring rules or giving up structure. It means proactively meeting your child’s needs in a way that helps reduce problem behavior before it even starts. 

In our next post, we’ll talk more about how ABA therapists use NCR in clinical settings and how we decide when and how to use it, including some common mistakes and how to avoid them.