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Encouraging Behavior Modification with ADD Kids

Setting Up and Using Token Economies

Feb 8, 2009 Marigold Merenda

Children with ADD/ADHD have many troubles with their conduct. Token economies are one way to motivate children to change their behaviors in exchange for wanted rewards.

Children with ADD/ADHD face many challenges when it comes to managing their own behaviors. Often adults and siblings are baffled with the child's inability to manage his own actions and get along with other kids. One of the things that parents and teachers can use with children who have ADD/ADHD is a token economy.

Using a Token Economy

A token economy is a constructive reward system that is often utilized with kids. This is an arrangement where the parents or teacher set up a list of conduct they want to create for the child, and in exchange for engaging in these behaviors, the child is offered rewards.

Establishing a Token Economy

Launching a token economy can take some negotiation and works best when the child is included in the process. Talk to the child and tell him that the goal is to improve his behavior and assist him to figure out how to better his performance at school. Tell the child that the reinforcement arrangement is something you both have to agree to and the child's participation is needed if the goal is going to be attained. Ask the child what kinds of things he would desire in return for engaging in the desired activities. For example, would he want a dessert he loves in reward for finishing homework every day for a week? Create a series of rewards ranging from small to large.

Rewards should be age appropriate and in scale with the sought behavior and the modification from former behaviors. Allowing large reinforcements for small behaviors loses affect since the child doesn't have to work very hard for a reward he really wants.

Monitor Behaviors and Rewards

The next step is to set up a chart to monitor behaviors and rewards. For each successful behavior, place a star or some other mark on the chart. For older children methods of tracking behaviors might include grade reports and banking, in addition to using charts.

For teachers, token economies can be employed successfully with an entire class, making reward items that tie in with desired classroom items like pencils, erasers, or even individual time with the teacher.

Token economies are equally effective with both young children and teens. The important point is providing age appropriate rewards that are wanted by the child.

Parents and teachers should work to negotiate with the child not only when arranging the reward system, but also on an ongoing basis to provide encouragement and feedback on the child's success or to adjust the reinforcements or expectations as required.

Reward programs are an important tool in working with kids who struggle with ADD. Engaging children in a reward system for wanted conduct works exceedingly well when kids are included in setting up the arrangement, the rewards are age appropriate and desired by the child and there is ongoing encouragement.

The copyright of the article Encouraging Behavior Modification with ADD Kids in Special Needs Parenting is owned by Marigold Merenda. Permission to republish Encouraging Behavior Modification with ADD Kids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.