Below is a general skill sequence for helping learners learn the ins and outs of their first token economy.
A token economy system is an engaging approach intended for those introducing this method to students. This system works by establishing a clear link between tokens and favored items or activities. The tokens serve as a means to access these rewards.
In the initial phase, a liked item or activity is briefly taken away and swiftly returned in exchange for tokens, making the transaction straightforward and comprehensible. This quickly demonstrates to the learners the value of earning and trading tokens.
The structure of this system is often built around six tokens, but it's adaptable. Educators and clinicians have the freedom to modify it as per the requirements. The overarching aim of token economies is to facilitate the learners in anticipating when they might receive their reinforcement, thereby improving their engagement and effectiveness in the learning process.
How this skill area relates to your assessments!
This skill area aligns with various assessments and their respective domains, with milestone and domain codes provided for reference. Additionally, DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Autism are included to help clinicians identify how this skill area potentially supports medical necessity in relation to the diagnosis.
VB-MAPP (Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program)
Visual Perception/Match to Sample, VPMS 2-M, Grasps small objects with thumb, index finger, and middle finger (pincer grasp) 5 times.
Motor Imitation, MI 1-M, Imitates 2 gross motor movements when prompted with, Do this (e.g., clapping, raising arms)
AFLS (Assessment of Functional Living Skills)
Basic Communication, BC2, Follows sequence of instruction
Shopping, SH29, Hands change to caregiver or puts in pocket or purse
DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria for Autism
A2, Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction, ranging, for example, from poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication; to abnormalities in eye contact and body language or deficits in understanding and use of gestures; to a total lack of facial expressions and nonverbal communication.
CDC’s Developmental Milestones
12 months, Movement/Physical Milestones, Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food
Treatment Plan Goal Ideas
This is a list of treatment plan goals. These are different from the goals you will find in the skill sequence below. Your treatment plan goals encompass any number of goals from the skill sequence. Sometime they will include multiple goals from the sequence (”Learner will label 5 toys”) and sometimes the treatment plan goal will be simply consist of a really important goal from the skill sequence (”Will label caregiver”). An analogy I like to use goes as follows: Each skill sequence goal (commonly known as a “target”) represent each stair in a flight of stairs. The treatment plan goal is the flight itself.
Treatment plan goal ideas for this particular skill area are as follows:
When it is removed, Learner will put on all six tokens on a token board in exchange for the return of a highly preferred activity or item.
Learner will transition away from a preferred item, activity, or area to put all six tokens on a token board in exchange for the return of a preferred item, activity, or area.
Learner will accept and add all tokens to a token board when given individually in exchange for correct responses on mastered tasks.
Learner will accept and add all tokens to a token board when given individually in exchange for correct responses on acquisition tasks.
Component Skills
Your learner may need to be fluent in these component skills first before introducing this goal/skill area. Component skills for this skill sequence may include skill areas that are fundamental to other areas. Fluency in the skill areas listed below may increase the likelihood that your learner will succeed in this skill sequence and those afterward.
Below is a possible skill sequence for working on increasing your learner’s ability to accept and add tokens to a token economy/board. Clinicians and educators will need to adjust the number of tokens to the needs and capabilities of their learner. Note that every learner is different and that you likely will need to tweak and vary some programming to their needs. Click the triangle icon to view the full description for each skill in the sequence/area.
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#1 SR+ Removed, Therapist puts on final token.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens added except for the final token.
Gently remove or block access to a preferred item or activity that the learner is engaged with.
Therapist will quickly install/add final tokens to the token board.
Once the final token has been added, therapist will immediately return the preferred item/activity to the learner.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#2 SR+ Removed, Therapist puts on final 2 tokens.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens added except for the final two tokens.
Gently remove or block access to a preferred item or activity that the learner is engaged with.
Therapist will quickly install/add final two tokens to the token board.
Once the tokens have been added, therapist will immediately return the preferred item/activity to the learner.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#3 SR+ Removed, Therapist puts on final 3 tokens.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens added except for the final three tokens.
Gently remove or block access to a preferred item or activity that the learner is engaged with.
Therapist will quickly install/add final three tokens to the token board.
Once the tokens have been added, therapist will immediately return the preferred item/activity to the learner.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#4 SR+ Removed, Therapist puts on final 4 tokens.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens added except for the final four tokens.
Gently remove or block access to a preferred item or activity that the learner is engaged with.
Therapist will quickly install/add final four tokens to the token board.
Once the tokens have been added, therapist will immediately return the preferred item/activity to the learner.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#5 SR+ Removed, Therapist puts on final 5 tokens.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens added except for the final five tokens.
Gently remove or block access to a preferred item or activity that the learner is engaged with.
Therapist will quickly install/add final five tokens to the token board.
Once the tokens have been added, therapist will immediately return the preferred item/activity to the learner.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#6 SR+ Removed, Therapist puts on all tokens.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently remove or block access to a preferred item or activity that the learner is engaged with.
Therapist will quickly install/add all tokens to the token board.
Once the tokens have been added, therapist will immediately return the preferred item/activity to the learner.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#7 SR+ Removed, Learner puts on final token.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens added except for the final token.
Gently remove or block access to a preferred item or activity that the learner is engaged with.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the final token.
Learner will install/add final token to the token board.
Once the final token has been added, therapist will immediately return the preferred item/activity to the learner.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#8 SR+ Removed, Learner puts on final 2 tokens.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens added except for the final two tokens.
Gently remove or block access to a preferred item or activity that the learner is engaged with.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the final two tokens.
Learner will install/add final two tokens to the token board.
Once the final tokens have been added, therapist will immediately return the preferred item/activity to the learner.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#9 SR+ Removed, Learner puts on final 3 tokens.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens added except for the final three tokens.
Gently remove or block access to a preferred item or activity that the learner is engaged with.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the final three tokens.
Learner will install/add final three tokens to the token board.
Once the final tokens have been added, therapist will immediately return the preferred item/activity to the learner.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#10 SR+ Removed, Learner puts on final 4 tokens.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens added except for the final four tokens.
Gently remove or block access to a preferred item or activity that the learner is engaged with.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the final four tokens.
Learner will install/add final four tokens to the token board.
Once the final tokens have been added, therapist will immediately return the preferred item/activity to the learner.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#11 SR+ Removed, Learner puts on final 5 tokens.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens added except for the final five tokens.
Gently remove or block access to a preferred item or activity that the learner is engaged with.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the final five tokens.
Learner will install/add final five tokens to the token board.
Once the final tokens have been added, therapist will immediately return the preferred item/activity to the learner.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#12 SR+ Removed, Learner puts on all tokens.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently remove or block access to a preferred item or activity that the learner is engaged with.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board and all thetokens.
Learner will install/add all tokens to the token board.
Once the final tokens have been added, therapist will immediately return the preferred item/activity to the learner.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#13 Learner transitions and puts on all tokens.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently have the learner discard the preferred item/activity that they are engaged in.
Have them transition away from the preferred item/activity.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board and all thetokens.
Learner will install/add all tokens to the token board.
Once the final tokens have been added, therapist will immediately allow the learner to transition back to the preferred area and return the preferred item/activity.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#14 Learner transitions, installs final token for mastered task.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently have the learner discard the preferred item/activity that they are engaged in.
Have them transition away from the preferred item/activity.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board and all thetokens except for the final token.
Learner will install/add these tokens to the token board.
Therapist will ask the learner to engage in a mastered task.
Learner will engage in the mastered task.
Therapist will offer the final token to the learner once mastered task is perfromed.
Learner will install final token.
Once the final token have been added, therapist will immediately allow the learner to transition back to the preferred area and return the preferred item/activity.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#15 Learner transitions, installs final two tokens for mastered tasks.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently have the learner discard the preferred item/activity that they are engaged in.
Have them transition away from the preferred item/activity.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board and all thetokens except for the final two tokens.
Learner will install/add the first tokens to the token board.
Therapist will ask the learner to engage in two mastered tasks.
Learner will engage in each of the mastered tasks.
Therapist will offer each of the final two tokens individually after the learner completes each mastered task.
Learner will install each of final two tokens when delivered to them after each task.
Once the final tokens have been added, therapist will immediately allow the learner to transition back to the preferred area and return the preferred item/activity.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#16 Learner transitions, installs final three tokens for mastered tasks.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently have the learner discard the preferred item/activity that they are engaged in.
Have them transition away from the preferred item/activity.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board and all thetokens except for the final three tokens.
Learner will install/add the first tokens to the token board.
Therapist will ask the learner to engage in three mastered tasks.
Learner will engage in each of the mastered tasks.
Therapist will offer each of the final three tokens individually after the learner completes each mastered task.
Learner will install each of final three tokens when delivered to them after each task.
Once the final tokens have been added, therapist will immediately allow the learner to transition back to the preferred area and return the preferred item/activity.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#17 Learner transitions, installs final four tokens for mastered tasks.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently have the learner discard the preferred item/activity that they are engaged in.
Have them transition away from the preferred item/activity.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board and all thetokens except for the final four tokens.
Learner will install/add the first tokens to the token board.
Therapist will ask the learner to engage in four mastered tasks.
Learner will engage in each of the mastered tasks.
Therapist will offer each of the final four tokens individually after the learner completes each mastered task.
Learner will install each of final four tokens when delivered to them after each task.
Once the final tokens have been added, therapist will immediately allow the learner to transition back to the preferred area and return the preferred item/activity.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#18 Learner transitions, installs final five tokens for mastered tasks.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently have the learner discard the preferred item/activity that they are engaged in.
Have them transition away from the preferred item/activity.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board and all thetokens except for the final five tokens.
Learner will install/add the first tokens to the token board.
Therapist will ask the learner to engage in five mastered tasks.
Learner will engage in each of the mastered tasks.
Therapist will offer each of the final five tokens individually after the learner completes each mastered task.
Learner will install each of final five tokens when delivered to them after each task.
Once the final tokens have been added, therapist will immediately allow the learner to transition back to the preferred area and return the preferred item/activity.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#19 Learner transitions, installs all tokens for mastered tasks.
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently have the learner discard the preferred item/activity that they are engaged in.
Have them transition away from the preferred item/activity.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board.
Therapist will ask the learner to engage in six mastered tasks.
Learner will engage in each of the mastered tasks.
Therapist will offer each token individually after the learner completes each mastered task.
Learner will install each token when delivered to them after each task.
Once the tokens have been added, therapist will immediately allow the learner to transition back to the preferred area and return the preferred item/activity.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently have the learner discard the preferred item/activity that they are engaged in.
Have them transition away from the preferred item/activity.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board.
Therapist will first have the learner engage in a series five mastered tasks.
Learner will engage in each of the mastered tasks.
Therapist will offer each of the first five tokens individually after the learner completes each mastered task.
Learner will install each token when delivered to them after each mastered task.
For the final token, therapist will ask the learner to complete an acquisition or novel task.
Learner should perform the acquisition task (consistent with established standards for that current program at the time).
Upon completion of the acquisition task, therapist will offer final token and learner will install.
Once the tokens have been added, therapist will immediately allow the learner to transition back to the preferred area and return the preferred item/activity.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Offer more tokens consistent with the level of difficulty of the acquisition task and level of motivation that the learner has at the time.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently have the learner discard the preferred item/activity that they are engaged in.
Have them transition away from the preferred item/activity.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board.
Therapist will first have the learner engage in a series four mastered tasks.
Learner will engage in each of the mastered tasks.
Therapist will offer each of the first four tokens individually after the learner completes each mastered task.
Learner will install each token when delivered to them after each mastered task.
For the final two tokens, therapist will ask the learner to complete an acquisition/novel task.
Learner should perform the acquisition tasks (consistent with established standards for that current program at the time).
Upon completion of each of the acquisition task, therapist will offer each of the final two tokens and learner will install.
Once the tokens have been added, therapist will immediately allow the learner to transition back to the preferred area and return the preferred item/activity.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Offer more tokens consistent with the level of difficulty of the acquisition task and level of motivation that the learner has at the time.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently have the learner discard the preferred item/activity that they are engaged in.
Have them transition away from the preferred item/activity.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board.
Therapist will first have the learner engage in a series three mastered tasks.
Learner will engage in each of the mastered tasks.
Therapist will offer each of the first three tokens individually after the learner completes each mastered task.
Learner will install each token when delivered to them after each mastered task.
For the final three tokens, therapist will ask the learner to complete an acquisition/novel task.
Learner should perform the acquisition tasks (consistent with established standards for that current program at the time).
Upon completion of each of the acquisition task, therapist will offer each of the final three tokens and learner will install.
Once the tokens have been added, therapist will immediately allow the learner to transition back to the preferred area and return the preferred item/activity.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Offer more tokens consistent with the level of difficulty of the acquisition task and level of motivation that the learner has at the time.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently have the learner discard the preferred item/activity that they are engaged in.
Have them transition away from the preferred item/activity.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board.
Therapist will have the learner engage in a series of six tasks. Three of these tasks will be acquisition tasks and three will be mastered.
Once learner performs each task to standard, therapist will offer one token.
Learner will install each token when awarded after each task.
Once all tokens have been added, therapist will immediately allow the learner to transition back to the preferred area and return the preferred item/activity.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Offer more tokens consistent with the level of difficulty of the acquisition task and level of motivation that the learner has at the time.
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
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#24 Receives & installs tokens for acquisition tasks only
How to Run
Gain the attention and motivation of the learner.
Ensure that the token economy has all tokens removed.
Gently have the learner discard the preferred item/activity that they are engaged in.
Have them transition away from the preferred item/activity.
Therapist will quickly hand the learner the board.
Therapist will have the learner engage in a series of six acquisition tasks.
Once learner performs each task to standard, therapist will offer one token.
Learner will install each token when awarded after each task.
Once all tokens have been added, therapist will immediately allow the learner to transition back to the preferred area and return the preferred item/activity.
Additional Notes
You can run this program in any environment during any activity.
Jump ahead if the learner is grasping this concept quickly.
Offer more tokens consistent with the level of difficulty of the acquisition task and level of motivation that the learner has at the time.
It’s important to note that—although this goal is dedicated to acquisition tasks—intermingling mastered tasks is still important (whether they are conducted in exchange for tokens or not).
Note that this program is written for a token board/economy with six tokens. You may elect to use a different system with more or less tokens.
Materials
N/A
Research/Resources
N/A.
Concurrent Skills
Working on these skills at the same time could help with goal mastery. Maybe your learner has mastered these skills already. Perhaps they are already listed as component skills above. That’s okay! Targeting other learning channels might help your learner.
These are the possible next steps for learners who have mastered, or are mastering, the skills listed above. Note that new skill areas may require fluency in other component skills not listed above. Also, you can introduce composite skill sequences prematurely to keep your learner progressing, as generativity may occur earlier than expected.
Fading Reinforcement (Coming Soon!)
Increasing Consecutive Tasks (Coming Soon!)
Advanced Token Economies (Coming Soon!)
Follow the link below to better understand component-composite analysis.
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Research and Resources
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Disclaimer
Consistent with ethical obligations outlined by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), users acknowledge that goal selection/direction is the responsibility of the BCBA. Users understand that goals should be tailored to the learner while ultimately involving the input of clients/stakeholders. Users understand their ethical obligations to the client/stakeholder concerning the selection, implementation, design, and minimization of risk regarding behavior change interventions as outlined in BACB Code. As such, this skill sequence serves as a general framework for generating ideas around this particular skill area and not as an assessment or curriculum.
Problem? Question? Suggestion? We want to hear from you!
Email us at bxmastery@flatrockadvice.com
We’ll try to get back with you as soon as we can!
Intro to Reinforcer/Preference Expansion
Single Actions with Common Toys
Performs Preferred Action with Preferred Item (LR)
Performs Action During Familiar Routines (LR)
Performs Actions with Uni-Functional Toys (LR)
Matches Common Items in 2D Array 1.0 (Identical)
Intro to Sitting 
Intro to Dressing
Greetings (Non-Verbal)