Lesson 4: Lesson 4 - Behavioral Management: Part I
Attachment #2: Point System
POINT SYSTEM
A point system establishes a way to reinforce the behaviors you want to put in place. To set up your point system, identify target behaviors, make a reinforcer menu, assign behavior point values and reinforcer point values. Your positive attention along with any tangible rewards is also a powerful reinforcer.
1. IDENTIFY TARGET BEHAVIORS
Make a list of all the behaviors you want to increase. Examples:
2. REINFORCEMENT MENU
Make a list of all the reinforcers that you are willing to give as a reward for the child’s doing the target behavior. Encourage his participation. Some Examples:
3. ASSIGN A POINT VALUE TO EACH BEHAVIOR
Give a point value to each behavior you are putting in place. Only assign points for positive behaviors. Examples:
4. ASSIGN A POINT VALUE TO EACH REINFORCER Which rewards are easier or more difficult to obtain both for you and the child. Specify limits in frequency, time or quantity. Examples:
It is important to consider what are acceptable behaviors for the child and what are appropriate reinforcers. Reinforcers and targeted behaviors may change over time.
RULES FOR POINT SYSTEM
- Explain the rules very thoroughly. Make a list of the behaviors you want to put in place and consequences for both you and your child.
- Begin immediately to provide an opportunity for your child to earn points. Be enthusiastic and create enthusiasm in your child. Make it a game - a game where he can win!
- Don’t set a time frame or task that will be difficult for your child to reach. It may be necessary to break down some tasks into smaller steps and reward these smaller steps towards the bigger goal.
- Give plenty of positive attention for completing tasks. Let him know you are pleased.
- If your child doesn’t earn points, DON’T ARGUE OR SCOLD HIM/HER! Explain only what she/he did or didn’t do to not earn points and encourage your child to do better next time. Are the tasks too difficult for his level of maturity? Can they be broken down into smaller components which can be reinforced?
- Be consistent. Children need to know that they can count on you to follow through. We all want our children to learn to take responsibility for their actions and to expect the consequences.
- Ex: Make bed in morning (+ 5 points)___
- Clears the table each evening (+ 3)______
Used by permission and adapted from ADHD Parenting Class, Kaiser Permanente, Dept. of Health Education, 1992. Adapted from Parenting Program, University of Kansas. Copyright by Lynne Embry and Mary Lou Kelley, 1978.
POINT CALENDAR
Target behaviors to earn points:
Points earned each day: Make a graph with a heading for each day of the week.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
Each day the child or parent records the total points earned for that day. These are totaled at the end of the week. It is important to remember that points are only earned for doing the target behavior correctly.
