Using Token Boards in a Token Economy
Token Board Templates
Here are some downloadable templates provided in Microsoft Word to get you started.
How can you use a Token Board to change your child’s behaviour?
What can they be used for?
Token boards can be used in a number of ways to teach new behaviours or help your child accomplish tasks like:
Increasing or strengthening a new or existing skill
Completing homework
Working on math problems
Doing house chores
Using indoor voice
Walking the dog
Completing morning routines
And many more …
A token board can also help you decrease problem behaviours such as showing aggression, screaming, spitting or throwing things.
What is the Token Economy
A Token Economy is a tool used to encourage specific behaviour. A Token economy uses stickers, check marks or points that act as symbols to reinforce positive behaviours. Once the predetermined amount of “symbols” are collected you can reward your child with access to an item or an activity.
How to use Token Boards most effectively
DO
Identify several activities/items that the individual finds desirable
One item can be used as the reward to be earned, if it is very highly preferred
Multiple items can be utilized, giving the individual choice (items can all ‘cost’ the same to earn, or a hierarchy can be used)
Provide tokens immediately following the desired behaviour
Ensure it is clear when the reward with be available (this should be as soon as possible after the required number of tokens are accumulated)
Provide behaviour specific praise with deliver of tokens (e.g., “Wow, you did a great job getting off the computer”)
Involve the individual in the process as much as possible when developing the token economy
Make the token board fun and interesting for the individual
DON’T
Use items/activities as rewards that you can’t honour
Take away tokens once they are earned
Provide free access to reward items/activities when they have not been earned
Make it too hard for the individual to earn enough tokens to access the reward
Keep the same items/activities as rewards, if they aren’t motivating for the individual anymore
Increase the expectations too quickly (i.e. the number of tokens required to access the reward)
Remember “Be Creative.” If it’s not working, it’s not motivating enough. Keep trying. You got this!
What does the research say?
When choosing any intervention strategy it is important to know what research evidence is there to support the effectiveness of the strategy. These articles will provide you some insight into the evidence available on reinforcement. Much more research is available on this topic.