Lesson 7 Instructor Pairing
Contents
This lesson explains the beginning of the pairing process. While it may seem that no "work" is being done, this is a critical process in therapy which allows the instructor to become a conditioned reinforcer.
Provide non-contingent reinforcement
Initially, follow the child around and join in his/her activities making them even more enjoyable. Give a lot of reinforcement. Have all his/her favorite things to give and give them for free. Nothing is required from the child, they just receive from you. Make the child think, “my world gets better when this person is around.” (Make sure however not to reinforcer negative behaviors!)
Begin Requiring Mands
Continue following step 1 and slowly start requiring that the child mands (requests) the items or activities that he/she wants. For example, instead of just handing the juice require the child say “juice” or “I want juice” depending on ability.
Become Conditioned Reinforcer
Repeat the previous steps, but also try to get the child to join you in enjoyable activities (ones you observed from previous sessions). By this time the child should be running into your arms the moment you open the door. If this is happening you have successfully become a conditioned reinforcer.
Fade in compliance demands
Repeat the previous steps, but also fade in a (very) few compliance demands such as “come here” for a reinforcer or in context of a reinforcing activity.
If you feel as though you are sufficiently paired with reinforcement, start fading in easy demands (If not continue as in previous sessions). Keep the child successful and interactions fun and positive
Start Teaching
Start fading in new (acquisition) skills from the program along with the easy skills. Start with a very few number of acquisition skills in relation to easy (mastered) skills.
Over the next sessions increase the number of demands per session and increase acquisition skills to mastered skills to a ratio of 80:20. We will have two distinct times in session: intensive teaching and natural environment training (net). Demands will be higher in intensive teaching and manding will be higher in NET. Further training will be given on this topic
Important Things to Remember
Be sure you remain a conditioned reinforcer.
- Be fun and have fun.
- Always leave on a good note.
Tracy Vail,MS,CCC/SLP and Jami Jenks
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