Give me ideas for reinforcers

I would like to ask you parents of SN kids what works for your DC as reinforcers. I want to switch things up a little and am trying to come up with some new ideas for reinforcers for good behavior and for goal work in his classroom setting.

TIA!

Re: Give me ideas for reinforcers

I think the best reinforcers are the ones a child chooses him/herself. If the reinforcer relates to the task at hand or even the behavior it will make a lot more sense and be more motivating.

I think this is really hard to achieve with 'behaviorial" things but perhaps some sort of box of toys (not many) or his favorite character stickers, or books etc where your child can select what is desired, so he feels he earned it. It's the way we typically reinforce all kids. Letting the reinforcer come from the child's internal need.

If you read up on pivotal teaching or even DIR approach they connect the motivation/behavior/reinforcer together.

I am still trying to figure all this out myself but I realize that when my dd's reinforcer is her motivator and tool for learning she truly gets it, generalizes and enjoys it. In fact, a huge component to reinforcers is getting their sensory needs met as well. For instance, my dd learns so much through books and music.

Sooo I probably didn't answer your question but definitely link the good behavior somehow to the reward. (immediate praise, an immediate preferred choice of toy etc).

Re: Give me ideas for reinforcers

One thing that is working well for DS is a hug or a high-five from someone he really loves oddly enough. There are a lot of things he refuses to do independently, like walking to the door of school. So, I started walking him to one point, then to another, and eventually I told him I wanted him to walk the whole way (instead of being picked up), and when we got to his classroom, I would give him a big hug (which I would anyway, but this still worked like a charm).

He also adores one of his teachers, so if he's trying to get that person to do things for him, the teacher encourages him to do it himself (things DS can definitely do), and DS gets a big high-5 at the end and loads of praise.

Depends what the issue is though, but for things related to self-care, this is working wonders for us.

Re: Give me ideas for reinforcers

I am looking more specifically for things for reinforcers for ABA goal work, for example. I am wondering if there are things your DCs get in the classroom setting - stickers, time on the computer, high fives, etc?

I know the best ones are things he will respond to, but curious to see what works for other kids to get some ideas.

Thanks!

Re: Give me ideas for reinforcers

Favorite book
Favorite toy (car, puzzle, etc..)
Food
Favorite blanket
Lovey


Reinforcers have to be potent. Like your child really wants something.

Our potty training reinforcer is M&M. He cannot have M&Ms unless it's for potty. Oh... he wants those M&Ms.

Re: Give me ideas for reinforcers

I've used things for DD like picking out a favourite movie and I keep a stash of small toys I buy at the dollar section in Target. Picking something out of that bag is a huge deal!
We use most edibles in the classroom...mini-marshmallows,m&ms, goldfish, etc.

Re: Give me ideas for reinforcers

For us it was anything Thomas the Train related!

Now it can be:

Thomas
Cars
Trucks
Any activity with ball play

Food:
Goldfish crackers
Cheeze Its
Cookies

Like posted above. Something that the child really wants!

Re: Give me ideas for reinforcers

AJ has always been a picky child. Reinforcers were our challenge, but we came to realize he loved verbal and physical praise. Food did not work, as he got older 2.5 we found that books worked for him. The tag reader was a huge hit with him.

Try different things. Now at almost 4 cooking is a great reinforcer or writing. He loves to write.

Re: Give me ideas for reinforcers

In school my son would get origami paper to fold, extra reading time or extra computer time. At home I also praise him for doing even the smallest things correctly and we have also add up how many checks he got during the day for good behavior (he can get 1 every half hour) and when he reaches a certain amount he gets a prize. I have taken him to Great Wolf, Fun 4 all, the movies etc. I do think it worked out better though when he would choose what he wanted and then I would tell him how many checks he would need for it.

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Re: Give me ideas for reinforcers

I dont know - second grade? I think it will work at any age really.

Re: Give me ideas for reinforcers