FAQautism

Nearly every parent uses that old trick of bribing their kids, promising a treat for being good, for cooperating, for completing a task, or for following instructions . Let’s look at the pros and cons of promising treats and rewards, particularly from the point of view of an individual with autism.

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Some people frown on rewarding good behavior, and, of course, I respect their opinion. But, if we think about it, ALL of us are motivated by something – whether it is money, approval from others, chocolate, good grades, or self-satisfaction. In my experience, parents and teachers of youngsters with autism are able to help encourage appropriate behavior and compliance by using rewards of some sort. Let us look at some of the pros and cons of reward systems.

PRO. Many individuals with autism think in concrete terms. A reward system helps them know exactly what is expected and helps them know the precise consequences of meeting those expectations.

PRO. Reward systems help teachers and parents define expected behaviors more specifically and helps adults be more consistent in recognizing appropriate responses. A reward chart helps us focus and helps us remember to reward desired behaviors.

PRO. Many of us maintain appropriate behavior because we want to please our friends or family members, but some individuals with autism do not try to “please” other people. If a person is not motivated by praise or acceptance by others, they may need a more concrete “reward.”

CON. Delayed gratification doesn’t always work. Some individuals with autism focus on the present, so they may not respond well to a system that requires them to earn points toward a desired reward they will receive later.

CON. Some people do not respond to treats. It can be difficult to find small prizes that are effective for individuals who are not motivated by typical treats – food, coins, praise, music, or other quick rewards.

CON. Sometimes adults become distracted and fail to utilize the rewards chart consistently. We may, in fact, just turn to the reward system when we have reached the end of our rope and feel like the situation is out of control. If frustration is the catalyst for our finally deciding to roll out the reward system, our friends with autism will naturally push the limits in order to be given a chance to earn a treat.

TIP FOR THE DAY. Granted, these are just a few of the issues that must be considered when determining whether or not to introduce a reward system utilizing treats or “bribes” to encourage cooperation and appropriate behavior. The point of this podcast is to remind teachers, therapists, family members and others to be aware of the pros and cons of any strategy. We should not automatically rule out using treats to “bribe” our friends with autism, nor should we expect a rewards plan to work perfectly. We need to utilize any tools at our disposal to maximize the potential of each person, realizing that all strategies have some shortcomings.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

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