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Applied Behavior Analysis |
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Token Economy
Token systems are used in schools, hospitals and even prisons. Within an ABA program you can use a token system to reinforce target behaviors and to teach new skills. To create your own very simple token chart get an index card and divide it into six squares by drawing a line across the index card and two lines down the index card. Then draw a picture of the reinforcer in the last square. Each time your student does the target behavior draw a smiley face in one of the boxes. The target behavior should be defined as clearly as possible. For example: Johny will put his plate, fork and cup in the sink within 5 minutes of when he is finished eating before he leaves the table. When the token chart is full then the student has earned the reinforcer. Depending upon the students familiarity with a token chart you may have to start out with just exchanging the token chart for the reinforcer and before you start having the student earn the tokens. If you have started doing this and it is not working well the requirement to earn the token might be too high or the delay between earning the tokens and receiving the reinforcer might be too long. Also another common mistake is to think you have a reinforcer when in fact you do not. For example you might be working with one child and he likes chips and then you work with another child and you pull out the token chart to work for chips not remembering that he doesn't like them at all. |
