Intentful attempts at the target behavior are rewarded with a natural reinforcer (e.g., if a child attempts to request for a stuffed animal, the child receives the animal, not a piece of candy or other unrelated reinforcer). Pivotal response treatment is used to teach language, decrease disruptive/self-stimulatory behaviors, and increase social, communication, and academic skills.
This describes a method for teaching desired behaviors by rewarding them with natural reinforcers like the object itself rather than something unrelated. It's also used to address challenging behaviors and improve social, communication, and academic abilities.