We had a crazy crazy summer. Autistic people have a very difficult time with changes in schedules and routines so the beginning of school is always a few months of frustration as we get used to the changes and new routine. Add to it the living in a cabin, being far from our normal bed’s, toys, etc… This time the change wasn’t as bad as it has been in the past and I think it’s the token system we’ve been using that made that possible. But it was still not without frustration. And during a frustrating time this summer we added a new side to the token system. We added paying the kids not just for activities we were encouraging but also for attitudes and emotional maturity that we are trying to teach them. Along with charging them not only for activities they wanted to participate in but also for name calling, excessive teasing and it’s like. Such as charging them for saying “I hate you” or “your stupid”, but phrases we simply don’t allow. And at the same time paying them for NOT saying hate, but instead for expressing what they are really feeling “I’m angry right now” or “that upsets me when you do that”. Also for walking away from being teased rather than engaging their siblings in a more drawn out and frustrating battle that would escalate into tears, drama and screaming! And while this worked great on the “hate” and “stupid” we’re still working on the maturity to walk away from being teased, to not let the words of others effect us. But hey, even I’m still working on that one.
Here is the original post and the other Vlogs!
Token System Chore Chart
Part 1- Dinner
Part 2- Computer Games
