Motivational Systems

Another important component of an effective program is a motivational system. Learning new skills can be very difficult and, often in the beginning, not very rewarding, especially if the child does not understand why he is being taught the skill. Thus, it is critical in the beginning to pair the new skill with something that is pleasurable. For instance, teaching a child to point his finger, if taught in isolation, is meaningless and uninteresting for the child. However, if the child is taught to point his finger at things that he or she wants and then receives them, the skill of pointing becomes meaningful and naturally motivating. Thus for example, a child can be taught to point to a preferred food that he then gets to eat. A child who is learning to vocalize for items he or she wants can be taught to ask for a preferred toy and then immediately receive the toy. Incorporating motivating objects and activities serves to increase the likelihood of the child acquiring the skill more quickly.