What is a Token Economy system?
Before we get into the 5 common mistakes, let’s go over “What is a Token Economy system?”. It is an approach used to promote positive behaviours. Depending on the child, you may be looking at one or multiple behaviours. When the child engages in one of the selected behaviours, they will be given a token which can then be exchanged for something the child wants. An exchange system will be put in place where you will need to establish how many tokens the child needs to earn a potential reinforcer.
5 common mistakes
1. Stating the removal of undesired behaviours “Do not shout”
2. Making the number of tokens too difficult
3. Not increasing the difficulty
4. Having an open-ended/expensive reinforcer
5. Free access to the selected reinforcer
Steps in making and delivering an effective token economy board
Please note we use the term “potential reinforcer” as it only becomes a reinforcer if it increases the desired/target behaviour.
Here we will go through the steps on how to avoid the 5 common mistakes.
Step 1: Description of behaviours. Selecting the target behaviour is crucial, you want to describe the behaviour you want to see. Do not list the behaviours you do not want to see. So as stated in mistake number one, avoid “do not shout” instead phrase it as “use my indoor voice”. When selecting the target behaviour(s), it is important to use the language your child is familiar with.
Child’s involvement: Your child’s involvement, this will vary depending on the child, but where possible try to get your child’s input, see if they can list what good behaviours should go on their board.
Assess understanding: You will need to assess if your child understands each behaviour on their board. This can be done in numerous ways such as role modelling, giving examples and potentially non-examples and asking the child to demonstrate the target behaviour(s).
Step 2: Exchange system. Establish the initial exchange system and when the potential reinforcer will be delivered. So as stated in mistake number two, if you make this too difficult to start with the child will not get access to the potential reinforcer. Not gaining enough tokens to access the potential reinforcer may cause the child to disengage, perceiving the effort as too much. The number of tokens will vary from behaviour to behaviour and from child to child. You will need to establish how frequently the selected target behaviour is currently happening. If it is happening 3 times a day maybe look at 4 tokens for the first day. When your child earns a token, especially in the beginning make this a “big deal” lots of praise, show real enthusiasm and pride in your child’s achievement and don’t forget to state why they are getting the praise and token for example: “Oh, wow you have earnt you first token, you did really well using your indoor voice”. Give the child the token, if the token is a sticker give the child a choice of stickers. Then ask them if they want you to put it on the chart or if they want to put it on the chart. Giving your child lots of choice and control will help with the success of the Token Economy system.
Child’s involvement: Your child’s involvement, this will vary depending on the child, but where possible try to get your child’s input, see what they think is a reasonable number of tokens to earn on day one. You may need to come to some sort of compromise.
Assess understanding: You will need to assess if your child understands the exchange system. You could role play an example to help your child understand. Get the child to demonstrate one of the target behaviours, provide praise and give the child the token. The token can be anything, it may be a poker chip or a sticker. If you are using a sticker you will want to include a chart to display the stickers.
Step 3: Adapting the exchange system. This needs to be done very carefully as stated in mistake number three, if you increase the number of tokens too quickly you run the risk of the child becoming disengaged as they may no longer be able to reach the new target. You also need to be careful not to increase the number of tokens too slowly, as the child may become to use to the current exchange system and may not tolerate the change in number of tokens needed. It may also become too time extensive for the parent/carer.
Child’s involvement: On day two get your child involved in the increase. Phrase this in a positive way, for example, “yesterday your target was 5 tokens, and you got 6 that was amazing! I think you can get 7 today. What do you think?” Each time you change the number of tokens needed to earn the potential reinforcer, make sure you involve your child in this change, where possible.
Assess understanding: It is important that your child knows how many tokens they now need for the potential reinforcer. You could get the child to either tell you the number (you may need to provide prompts) you could get the child to count the number of tokens. Throughout the day you may need to provide encouragement of how well they are doing, “wow you have 3 tokens how many more do you need?” You may need to provide the child a prompt. “You are doing such a good job you only need 2 more tokens”. It may be pointing to each empty box on the reward chart.
Step 4: Potential reinforcers. You need to establish what may act as a reinforcer for the Token Economy system. This can be done in various ways:
You may be able to ask your child
You may have a good idea of the things that may work
You may need to complete a formal preference assessment
As stated in mistake number four, avoid open ended reinforcers such as you can pick a new toy from the toy store. This will become very expensive for you and difficult to maintain this level of reinforcers. Think of things that your child enjoys doing as a treat, make sure you have established a few potential reinforcers.
Examples of some potential reinforcers:
Park with mum at 4pm
Playing guitar with dad at 6pm
Making cakes with mum and dad after dinner
Karaoke with mum, dad and big sister before bed
Mummy painting my nails
Child’s involvement: At the start of the day get your child to pick what they are working for today (if using a daily reward chart). Give your child a choice of 2 or more potential reinforcers. Each day get your child to pick what they are earning today. By giving your child choice and varying the options will increase the success of the Token Economy System.
Assess understanding: It is important that your child knows what the reward is, for some children you may need to use pictures to aid understanding. You will also need to make it clear when it is available. Ideally you want your exchange system to mean that once all tokens have been achieved there is not a huge time delay between them getting the reinforcer. For some reinforcers you may need to make it very clear to the child when it will happen.
Step 5: Free Access to reinforcers. As stated in mistake number five, the reinforcer that has been selected for the Token Economy system cannot be freely available elsewhere. You need to make sure that the only way to get the potential reinforcer is to earn the tokens. If it is freely available elsewhere, your child is less likely to work on the target behaviours selected for the Token Economy system. Take the example of earning your pay cheque, you have to go to work to get your pay cheque. Now let’s think of a scenario where you get your pay cheque even if you do not turn up to work. Ask yourself would you still go to work? The majority of people would answer NO. It is the same for your child!
Creating the physical chart/board
This can be done in so many ways. If your child enjoys doing arts and crafts why not create a personalised board together. This will further aid the success of the Token Economy system as your child will have some form of ownership over their board. If arts and crafts are not your child’s thing you can design one on the computer or look online for free samples.
Here are some example charts we have created on the computer:
Daily chart:
Weekly Chart:
You can also use your child’s interest to make the chart more engaging for them, this one was designed for a child who loves horses:
Summary
Token Economy systems have lots of research and evidence to show the effectiveness of increasing positive behaviours and reducing negative behaviours. However, I have come across so many parents saying that they have tried using a “sticker chart” but it did not work, or it worked initially then stopped working. The five common mistakes listed above, I have found to be the biggest factors in a Token Economy system failing. Following the steps above increase the chances of the Token Economy system being successful and creating a positive environment for you and your child.
Adapt Behaviour offer online training on the use of Token Economy systems:
Parents: How to manage and prevent tantrums #14221
Teachers: How to create a positive learning environment #66778
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