How can stimulus change serve as a reactive strategy?

Stimulus change can serve as a reactive strategy by altering the environment to reduce triggers that may lead to undesirable behaviors. This approach focuses on modifying the surroundings to minimize the likelihood of challenging behaviors occurring in the first place. By adjusting elements within the environment—such as reducing loud noises, changing lighting, or creating a more structured space—practitioners can effectively decrease the stimuli that provoke anxiety or agitation in individuals with autism.

This method is proactive in nature, as it seeks to prevent issues before they arise by ensuring the environment is more conducive to positive behaviors. In contrast, introducing rewards for compliance, allowing only certain behaviors, or using stricter consequences focuses more on responding to behavior after it occurs rather than preventing the triggers in the first place, making them less effective as reactive strategies in this context.