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Reward Systems
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Reward positive behavior to encourage it.
I find it is best to make a visual such as a sticker chart for the reward system since most children with autism have different visual needs. Some children will need immediate rewards and others will be okay with having delayed rewards. Family dinner is usually a rough time, you want to relax and have a conversation with your spouse and children about their days but it can turn into chaos with food flying, children yelling, running and crying. It would be great to have a peaceful eating experience, in order to do this you must reinforce table manners . To encourage good table manners, I set up a reward system in which the kids can earn stickers every time they eat, and once a row is filled up we can go out to a restaurant. Click here to see a sample chart. (I included pictures along with descriptions because an autistic characteristic is needing visuals to understand words.) The reward chart should be placed near the table so it is easily viewed by everyone. Before dinner, we review exactly what behavior is expected, using utensils not our hands to put the food only in our mouths (not on the floor or somewhere else), sitting on the chair (not standing on the chair and not running around the dinning room) and using polite words such as please and thank-you (no yelling, whining or rude talking). If I have to give more than three reminders, they do not get a sticker. I never remove a sticker from the chart because it is only used for positive reinforcement not punishment. Throughout dinner, I give as many compliments as possible to remind the children to stay on task. This is a delayed reward system because we are working for a goal over ten days (or more) but it also offers an immediate reinforcement because it can easily be viewed from the dinning room table and we put the sticker on immediately after dinner if good manners were used. If focusing on a long term goal is unmanageable, a more immediate reinforcement is needed. You can work for a simpler reward, like a preferred activity such as an extra story at bedtime, a favorite bath toy or a special game (but please do not let anyone convince you that stimming is an appropriate reward even though it may be a preferred activity). Along with the delayed reward chart, an index card can be used for a smaller sticker chart . Click here for an example. I keep the smaller sticker chart at the table and let Johnny put on his own stickers when I catch him doing the right thing. This helps keep him focused on his own manners. Once dinner is finished, I will put stickers on the big chart to keep him working towards long term goals. Eventually, he may not need as much immediate reinforcement because he'll learn to focus on a longer goal. Chips work visually and tactilely as a delayed or immediate reward system. You can purchase poker chips or even use coins. Have your child decorate a box or a jar that they can place in an easy to access area, to collect chips throughout the day for good behavior. Tell them they will be earning chips for good behaviors and list those good behaviors with them.
Next, determine how many chips they need to earn a prize. You may want to set up a prize box filled with things they are interested in, or you might want them to work for a specific prize. For example, if they earn 10 chips they may have the Webkinz animal they wanted. Carry the chips with you in your pocket and when you catch your child doing the right thing, hand them a chip or coin and have them put it in their box. Make a big deal every time you give them a chip, so they feel proud. Remember never to take chips away, this is a reward system not punishment. Behavior Bucks will work visually and tactilely as both a delayed and immediate reward system. You can purchase these online, by clicking on the link to he left. When you catch your child doing the right thing, give him a "buck" to save in his wallet. Once he has earned enough "bucks" he will be able to purchase a reward. Tickets will also work visually and tactilely as a delayed or immediate reward system. You can purchase rolls of carnival tickets at party supply stores and hand them out to your child when you catch him doing the right thing. Tell him, that he will be earning tickets for good behaviors and list those good behaviors with them.
Then just like at a carnival, tickets can be used to do special activities. You can set up an activities chart with your child of different preferred activities such as computer time, watching a movie, jumping on the trampoline, a bike ride with dad, a walk with mom, or anything special you can think of. Have your child help you decide how many tickets they need to earn to pay for that special activity. Through out the day give your child tickets when you catch them doing the right thing. On the first day, give tickets out like crazy just so they get the idea of how to earn them.
Edibles are another form of immediate reinforcement for children who are extremely unable to focus on long term goals. Keep a container or baggie of candy, pretzels, grapes or some other small thing that child enjoys eating, near by to give to your child when they are behaving appropriately. For instance, your child screams almost non-stop, when you catch them not screaming, say, "nice job being quiet" and give them a piece of food. I personally have tried this and my Johnny just started screaming to demand candy but I know others who have tried it and it has worked for their children. The goal of using the edibles is to expand the duration of a positive behavior, so you want to increase the amount of time in between giving the candy by a minute or two as often as possible. Reward systems are to be used in any situation you may need such as, getting dressed, keeping your hands to yourself, not making noises, good sharing, not copying etc. If you find these systems are a positive influence on your child share the information with their teachers, babysitters, or anyone else who will be interacting with your child. Positive reinforcement will be so much easier than any form of punishment, reward systems are a great way to stay proactive. click here to download a behavior wheel Need more information?
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