How to Select Reinforcers
1.
Observe the Child.
 What activities, objects, foods, and so on does the child choose when allowed free choice?
 Are there certain phrases, gestures, and so on that seem to produce a pleasant response from
the child?
 What self-stimulatory behaviors does the student exhibit?
2.
Use a reinforcer menu to let the child choose reinforcers.
 Create a menu of possible reinforcers listed either by name, if the child can read, or by
picture (photographs are best).
 When the child earns a reinforcer, allow him to select a desired object, food, activity, and so
on from the menu. You may have to teach the child how to make choices.
3.
Ask the student
 As the student, if he has sufficient language skills, what he would like to earn for a good
work.
4.
Ask others
 Ask the child’s parents what the child likes to do, likes to play with, or likes to eat at home.
 Ask other teachers who have worked with the child.
5.
Conduct a reinforcer sampling
 Arrange several possible reinforcers on a table.
 Allow the child to noncontingently choose the objects, foods, and son on that she likes.
6.
Use the Autism Reinforcer Checklist
 Have parents compilete a copy of the checklist
 Use the checklist to generate ideas for new or novel reinforcers.
 Have students who can read check off the items they like and dislike.
“START Project Materials 2012”
1
Autism Reinforcer Checklist
Edible Reinforcers:
Candy: 1. M&M’s
2. Jelly Beans
3. Licorice
4. Candy Canes
5. Gum
6. Smarties
7. Lollipops
8. Candy Kisses
9. Chocolate
10. ____
YES
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
NO
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
Cereals: 11. Cheerios
12. Fruit Loops
13. Trix
14. ____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
Fruit:
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
Liquids: 20. Milk
21. Ch. Milk
22. Juice
23. Soda Pop
24. Lemonade
25. ____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
Frozen: 26. Popsicle
27. Ice Cream
28. ____
____
____
____
____
____
____
Soft:
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
15. Raisins
16. Apples
17. Oranges
18. Bananas
19. ____
29. Pudding
30. Jell-O
31. Yogurt
32. Marshmallows
33. Cheese
34. Cottage Cheese
35. Peanut Butter
36. Jam/Jelly
37. ____
“START Project Materials 2012”
Others : 38. Cake
39. Cupcakes
40. Doughnuts
41. Crackers
42. Frosting
43. Pretzels
44. Corn Chips
45. Cheez Balls
46. Doritos
47. Cookies
48. Popcorn
49. Vegetables
50. ____
YES
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
NO
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
Material Reinforcers :
1. Stopwatch
2. Hand Cream
3. Bubbles
4. Combs
5. Stickers
6. Play Dough
7. Perfume
8. Toy Instruments
9. Puzzles
10. Beads
11. Stamps
12. Masks
13. Crayons
14. Fans
15. Balloons
16. Bean Bags
17. Hats
18. Mirrors
19. Books
20. Coloring Books
21. Whistles
22. Blocks
23. Paints
24. Colored Chalk
25. ____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
2
Activity Reinforcers:
YES
1. Rocking
____
2. Brushing Hair
____
3. Clapping Hands
____
4. Airplane Rides
____
5. Drawing Pictures ____
6. Run Outside
____
7. Hide and Seek
____
8. Piggyback Rides
____
9. Chase
____
10. Peek-A-Boo
____
11. Sing Songs
____
12. Sprinkle Glitter
____
13. Tickles
____
14. Water Play
____
15. Puppets
____
16. Sand Play
____
17. Trampoline
____
18. Dancing
____
19. Bring Toy from Home____
20. Turn Lights On/Off____
21. Pour Liquids Back/Forth____
22. Video tapes
____
23. Stories
____
24. Being the Teacher ____
25. Talking on Phone ____
26. Drink in Office
____
27. Drawing
____
28. Draw on Chalkboard____
29. Lunch/Snack Helper____
30. Field Trips
____
31. Twirling in Air
____
32. Blankets over Head____
33. Taking Pictures
____
34. Going to Trash
____
35. Roll Down Hill
____
36. Teacher’s Helper ____
37. Making Pictures:
with Popcorn ____
with Noodles ____
with String
____
38. Running Errands ____
39. Playing in Boxes ____
40. Dressing Up
____
41. Climbing
____
42. Stim Time
____
43. Rocking in Boat ____
44. Cutting Pictures ____
45. Playing with Glue ____
46. Treasure Hunt
____
NO
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
“START Project Materials 2012”
47. Looking at Pictures____
48. Basketball
____
49. Finger Paint
with Pudding ____
with Whipped Cream____
with Soap
____
with Paint
____
50. Racing
____
51. Wagon Rides
____
52. Thrown in Air
____
53. Make Copies
____
54. Water Plants
____
55. Going for Walks ____
56. Making Treats
____
57. Icing Cupcakes
____
58. Making Popcorn ____
59. Playing Ball
____
60. Playing with Tools ____
61. Birthday Parties ____
62. Playing with Zippers____
63. Blowing Bubbles ____
64. Swimming
____
65. Listen to Music
____
66. Play with Typewriter____
67. Stringing Beads ____
68. Turning Water On/Off____
69. Smelling Spices ____
70. Fishing Game
____
71. Dart Board
____
72. Grab Bag
____
73. Surprise Box
____
74. Spinner
____
75. ____
____
Social Reinforcers:
1. Hugs
2. Shaking Hands
3. Kisses
4. Tickling
5. Winking
6. Give Me Five
7. Rubbing Noses
8. Smiling
9. Whistling
10. Patting
11. Praising
12. Back Scratch/Rub
13. Praise
14. ____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
3
Most and Least Popular Reinforcers as Ranked Using the Autism Reinforcer Checklist
Category
MOST
LEAST
Edible Reinforcers
Crackers
Cookies
Marshmallows
Cupcakes
Ice Cream
Juice
Soda Pop
Doughnuts
Popcorn
Corn Chips
Licorice
Raisins
Cheerios
Apples
Jell-O
Raw Vegetables
Candy Canes
Oranges
Milk
Frosting
Material Reinforcers
Toy Instruments
Bubbles
Balloons
Mirrors
Blocks
Paper and Crayons
Play-Doh
Hats
Coloring Books
Beads
Social Reinforcers
Tickling
Smiling
Praising
Hugging
Patting
Blowing
Pinching Cheeks
Twitching Noses
Back Scratching
Whistling
Activity Reinforcers
Going for Walks
Watching Popcorn Pop
Rocking
Musical instruments
Time alone
Water play
Clapping Hands
Playing in front of mirror
Field trips
Running Outside
Drinking out of pop bottles
Climbing
Wagon Rides
Flushing Toilet
Having Mom leave class
Cutting pictures from magazines
Making pictures with popcorn, noodles, or string
Stringing Beads
Taping and Tearing paper
Playing with Paper
Crayons
Drawing pictures
Stories in Teacher’s lap
Finger painting with paint, pudding, or whipping
cream
“START Project Materials 2012”
4