An idea that I have implemented in my therapy sessions is a stoplight for behavior modification. What I have done is every day for therapy I print off a stoplight. When my client first gets to therapy, I have them color in one of the lights green. If they continue to follow the rules the whole session, they can color the stoplight completely green. However, if they break a rule or continue to break the rules I have them color the second light yellow. If they continue to misbehave, they color the final light red. There are a couple ways this can be effective with long term and short term rewards-
1. If they go until the end of the session without having to color a stoplight red, they get to play a game at the end of the session. Another small prize could be a piece of candy.
2. You can make an agreement that if they go a certain amount of sessions without having to color a light red, then they get a "big" prize. This could be going outside for five minutes of the therapy session, they get to bring a game that they picked to play, etc.
Number 2 is my personal favorite. This does not get the client in the habit of expecting immediate positive feedback in the form of a reward after doing a good job. It also gives them a reason to have good behavior every therapy session, and not just the ones that they feel like being positive in.
In order to keep up with all of these, I have a "stoplight" poster board. After every therapy session, I write the date on the stoplight and glue it on the poster. That way, it is a visual reminder of how their behavior is improving/changing, etc.
If you use this, let me know your results! Or if you have any more ideas for behavior modification, shoot me an e-mail at slptoolbox@gmail.com.
Have a wonderful day!
~Hannah~
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