Beyond the Behavior Plan: Reinforcement Systems
Hi there! How are you? It’s so nice to see you here!
Welcome to our next series here at Coffee Mugs & Clipboards called “Beyond the Behavior Plan”
This series is going to take us beyond what those documents often describe and really tell us what those supports, interventions and replacement behaviors mean. And as always, “the why.”
Our discussion this week is going to introduce us to reinforcement systems, the purpose they hold, an overview of the reinforcement tools most commonly used, reinforcement systems that are “transformed”, and more.
If you’re curious what reinforcement systems are and if they’re really worth the hype, then you’ve come to the right place!
(I mean, would you really keep reading this blog post if you didn’t find the content reinforcing?!)
Mind blowing - right?!
What are Reinforcement Systems?
These are specific supports put in place that provide the individual with feedback that increases their likelihood and “buy in” for engaging with a specific contingency. This could be an activity, a location, an item or a person.
Systems let us know there is a specific strategy to the frequency (how often) and duration (how long) that the reinforcement is available or provided. The system also lets us know there is a specific reinforcer made available (this can be tangible (item), physical (hug/high five), verbal (praise), etc.)
What purpose to Reinforcement Systems serve?
Reinforcement Systems serve the purpose of keeping an learner engaged with or participating in a specific task, location, activity or interaction with another.
Think of it this way:
Would you eat your favorite flavor of ice cream if you didn’t enjoy the taste?
Would you go to work if you didn’t get paid?
Would you find interactions with others enjoyable if they didn’t provide you with the connection you were seeking?
If the answers are yes, then those reinforcement systems in place are working.
If you answered no, then it might be time to find something that is more reinforcing.
What types of Reinforcement Systems are there?
Primary
Food/Drink
Sensory: Visual, Auditory, Tactile, Olfactory, Kinesthetic
Secondary
Token Economies (aka Token Board)
Point Systems
Sticker Charts
Monetary
Priveledge (line leader, special access to an activity)
Natural Reinforcers (activity)
Social Reinforcers (hugs, tickles, high fives)
Token Boards - Most Commonly Used
Within the world of ABA, token boards are a buzz word. They’re commonly used for a multitude of reasons.
They’re highly structured
Give a clear start/stop point for when reinforcement will occur
The receipt of the token also serves as the reinforcer
Consistent & highly predictable
The visuals often used are also reinforcing for learners which adds an additional layer to their level of reinforcement for learners needing this type of reinforcement system.
Token Boards Transformed
In my experience as a school-based BCBA and a special education teacher, I’ve certainly seen token boards used in its most classic form; 5 stars and the statement “I am working for..” with visuals indicating what the student is earning.
But I’ve also seen token boards used in a transformed way:
Tokens become characters added to a highly reinforcing backdrop (think animals added to a farm, Bluey characters added to Bluey’s house, etc.)
Images of reinforcers cut into pieces of a puzzle and each pieces serves as a portion to re-build.
Tokens as a game board (for longer earning contingencies)
Tokens as a scavenger hunt (for longer variable earning contingencies)
Are Token Boards worth the hype?
This may be controversial for me to say, but yes and no.
Yes - if you have a learner that needs a really consistent, clear and motivating way to learn specific skills for replacement behaviors.
No - if you learner is not at a place where they would understand the value of a singular token.
Before beginning to use a token system, your learner needs to gain the understanding of the value of that token. This means, the token itself needs to have a certain “value” to it in order for the token board and the token economy to be successful.
Token Board at Home
When we’re in the home, token boards and token economy systems (when use correctly in the setting they were originally introduced) can and should continue to be used at home using a similar reinforcement schedule (which we’ll talk about in the coming weeks), BUT, that doesn’t mean the exact same images need to be used at home.
Yes - I said it. The exact same images don’t always need to be used at home.
(there are some cases, though, where it is appropriate)
Why you ask? Because as we’ve talked about before: what is reinforcing in one location might not be reinforcing in another.
So what could this look like?
This could look like images of reinforcers being used at school that are cut into puzzle pieces for the learner to work for, while at home, images of what the learner could work for are used because items within this environment that they find reinforcing are different.
This could also look like stickers being used in place of tokens, smiley faces drawn on a piece of paper, or a token board laid out in the same way just using different visuals as the background and token from what is used at school, etc.
I would love to support you and your family in crafting collaborative, sustainable behavior and academic supports at home through a free 15-minute Coffee Break to find out just what your cup needs.
Be sure to follow us this week on Instagram @coffeemugsandclipboards as we bring this weeks information to life!
