Natural Reinforcer List

Natural reinforcers refer to things or activities that the child naturally enjoys engaging in.
Not all reinforcers need to be purchased or made. Watch what the child does with their
free time, and try to use their natural interest to make reinforcers for when they are
behaving appropriately. Every child is different, and some will love certain activities
while others will not. Also, remember that sometimes social reinforcers (like a smile or
praise) must be taught to be reinforcing to children with ASD.
1. High Fives
2. Smiles
3. Humor
4. Water Play (pouring, spraying, even just watching)
5. Blowing bubbles with bubblegum
6. Blowing bubbles
7. Imitate the child
8. Praise
9. Compliments
10. Ask the child for help
11. Applause
12. Thumbs Up
13. Drawing/Art
14. Stickers, stars, etc
15. Play calming music, or let the child request what music to play (if appropriate)
16. Let the child listen to music on a walkman, Ipod, MP3 player, etc.
17. Give the child access to favored activities (taking a break, getting to line up first,
etc.)
18. Toss balloons
19. Let the child put a poster or picture up in their room
20. Give the child scented hand lotion to put on their hands and smell
21. Play a game with the child
22. Give the child choices; let them be independent (where to sit, what game the
group should play, etc.)
23. Give the child access to items they dont regularly get (pencils, bookmarks,
erasers, clay, Play Dough, wax teeth, plastic bugs, etc.)
24. Use/implement a token system
25. Create a grab bag of small, inexpensive items. Let the child reach into the grab
bag and play with whatever they pull out for a few minutes (staff can also
randomly change what is in the grab bag, to keep interest high)
26. Proximity/attention (HUGE reinforcer for most children)
27. Individual praise directed to the group (say to the whole group Derrick is
cleaning up so nice, hes really working hard today)

*Remember: Reinforcement should be

Immediate, or as quick as possible
Enthusiastic
Specific
Given with eye contact

Inner Harbour 2009

Tameika Meadows, Behavior Specialist