Exclusion time-out is best described as which of the following?

• A. The individual is removed from access to all reinforcers by placing them in a separate time-out room or away from the setting.
• B. The individual remains in the setting but is isolated.
• C. The individual is ignored.
• D. The individual receives reinforcement during time-out.

Answer: (A)

Exclusion time-out means removing the person from access to all reinforcers by placing them in a separate time-out room or away from the setting. The idea is that during this brief period they can’t observe or obtain the events or items that are reinforcing, which helps reduce the target behavior by changing the reinforcement contingencies. The crucial point is whether the individual is taken out of the environment where reinforcement occurs; in exclusion time-out they are not in that environment for the duration of the time-out. In contrast, non-exclusion time-out would keep the person in the setting but restricts access to reinforcement, such as a time-out area within the room. The option describing simply ignoring the person doesn’t involve removing access to reinforcement, and the idea of receiving reinforcement during time-out is the opposite of the time-out purpose.