Creating your own Encouragement System.

Once you have identified the non-compliant behaviors that you would like to modify with your children, it is time to create your own encouragement system!

An Encouragement System creates an environment where positive engagement is needed and provides opportunities to increase compliant behaviors through positive reinforcement. Remember to keep the ratio to 3:1 where you notice positive behaviors three times more for each time you mention "stop" the their behavior.

There are many different types of reinforcers that can be used to increase behaviors and it is important to note that the type of reinforcer used depends on the age, individual and the situation.

• Token reinforcers are points or tokens that are awarded for performing certain actions. These tokens can then be exchanged for something of value, the incentive.

• Social reinforcers involve expressing approval of a behavior, such as a teacher, parent, or employer saying or writing, "Good job" or "Excellent work."

• Tangible reinforcers involve presenting actual, physical rewards such as candy, treats, toys, money, and other desired objects. While these types of rewards can be powerfully motivating, they should be used sparingly and with caution.

• Natural reinforcers occur directly as a result of the behavior. For example, a student studies hard, pays attention in class, and does their homework. As a result, they get excellent grades.

While stickers and tokens might be very effective reinforcement for a young child, they may not have the same effect on your high school or college age child. Be flexible and try different strategies, pick one that fits your family best!

Here is a helpful guide to help outline your creation of an Encouragement System.

1. Identify three positive behaviors to encourage. Be sure to consider how frequent those behaviors will be observed throughout the day. Identify in what ways you would be able to know that your child did these behaviors. Learning new strategies can be challenging in the initial stages. What ways would you be able to stay positive during this process to establish a healthy parent/child interaction? Most parents find that walking away to reassure themselves to be best regulation strategy!

2. Select tokens to use that will motivate your child to continue earning tokens for the incentive. These tokens will need to be easy to use and readily accessible regardless of where you are, being at home vs. in the community.

3. Brainstorm and establish incentives. Cross-off the ones that won't work and circle the ones to keep. Have some that are smaller and easier to obtain as well as larger, more time consuming incentives. This way, your children will have options to pick from and chose based amount of tokens they have earned for that day or week.

4. Design an "payment plan" for each incentive and identify the number of tokens needed to get each incentive. For example, five tokens for 15 extra minutes on their electronics or seven tokens for one-on-one time with a caregiver.

5. Explain the Token System to your child. Remember to be encouraging, show the tokens and review incentives, and then go over the rules and review the payment plan.

6. PRACTICE! Be sure to go through the behaviors and how the token system works before putting it into action.

7. Remain flexible and give this process a couple weeks to iron out the details. You may need extra practice in stating an effective directions or remembering active communication skills, such as body language and tone of voice. After a couple weeks, brainstorm ways to support your child being successful with this newly established system!

8. Once you can see improvement with compliance, move on to another behavior that you would like to work on with your child.

Let me know how this process goes once you create and establish a system of your own!