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.
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.
Intro to Reinforcer/Preference Expansion
Single Actions with Common Toys
Performs Preferred Action with Preferred Item (LR)Skill Possibilities
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.
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.
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) Composite Skills
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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