I do think token economies can work in very specific situations. They need to be highly individualized, for targeted behaviors only, and run in a setting where the frequency of reinforcement can be short enough that there's no frustration
It had to be done by a team that knows how to do it. No removal of earned tokens, knowing how to select motivating but not too powerful reinforcers, making sure they Do earn rewards, and knowing how to transition the behavior, once learned, to a part of life. Not being rewarded artificially. This is like most behavior methods (ignoring for example ). Unless done in a truly good, residential center so all variables can be controlled and so the schedule for rewards is moved through to being just natural rewards that happen in life.....it doesn't work, in my humble opinion. ( for non neuro-typical kids that is)
I have seen it work in expensive, caring, expert treatment centers. But who has access to that. There are so few places. Regular treatment centers are not usually experts in this.
Q does ok with them at school for little things. If used for big rewards like parties and high value things he becomes too stressed. If used to teach skills that are easy to learn it can work. ( like doing his math for X minuted). For stopping high frequency behaviors, it never works because they can't control the variables, each person has different standards, people don't really understand how tiny things can ruin the plan, etc.
Earning money for a job is similar to token economy......transitioning to this if it matches the behavior being targeted, works well for some. (Once Q learned how to wipe tables he could then be rewarded thru pay for a job. Not for all "good behavior")
Anyone who suggests it for Q's behavior challenges at home or school gets an earful from me. It never works, there is no tightly trained team and no ability to control the environmental variables (I can ignore, but a neighbor or person in a store will look, comment, and so he feeds off them) ( I could decide he didnt do well enough to get a token, and he would escalate and it would be dangerous or too frustrating because there's no backup...sometimes having to find a way to let him get something...defeating the purpose.)
I'd never agree to a token economy at home. No way.
Our home team does not use this. We identify triggers, teach stress management, use cues to make better choices, use logical rewards/consequences like if he worked to earn money, then he can earn a trip to a store to spend his money. Lots of practice and routine. In his private autism program on Saturdays, they use social stories to teach outing expectations, have an hour group to practice what to do once at the destination, then they go and really do it. Visual cues, auditory cues, high fives, feedback, etc are used. Not checkmarks or tokens. Data is kept by staff each week for all skills being taught beyond the specific event. For example using appropriate voice, talking the right amount of time/not interrupting, etc.
For us this works pretty well ( wow his scores from summer to now are dramatically better). So. There are other options.
The hardest is home aggression. Having a routine, daily outings, practice using other more appropriate skills, and the right medications have worked best. And, JJ the service dog too, smile.
It's exhausting and a rollercoaster. I wish you didn't have to suffer through this. It's painful for everyone.
